Senator Cynthia Lummis from Wyoming is demanding answers from the FBI regarding possible surveillance of her communications. Her concerns stem from revelations that former Special Counsel Jack Smith tracked her phone calls as part of the investigation into the events of January 6, 2021. Lummis has called this tracking “one of the most serious infringements on the separation of powers in American history.”
Fox News Digital first reported that Smith and his team monitored not just Lummis but also other Republican senators, including Lindsey Graham, Marsha Blackburn, Ron Johnson, Josh Hawley, Bill Hagerty, Dan Sullivan, and Tommy Tuberville, as well as GOP Representative Mike Kelly. According to an FBI document obtained by Fox News Digital, an FBI special agent assigned to Smith’s team conducted a preliminary analysis of the toll records associated with these lawmakers.
An FBI official confirmed that Smith’s team accessed details about which phone numbers the senators called, the origins of those calls, and their destinations. Lummis is not just concerned about the surveillance; she is actively seeking transparency. In a letter addressed to FBI Director Kash Patel, she expressed gratitude for exposing what she called “blatantly unconstitutional surveillance activities” conducted by the Biden Administration.
In her letter, Lummis demanded comprehensive information regarding the surveillance of her phone records. She is asking for the names of all officials from the DOJ, FBI, and the White House involved in authorizing this surveillance. Specifically, she wants access to the complete data file collected on her, which includes phone records and any transcripts or recordings of her communications. Additionally, she is requesting the legal statutes cited to justify the data collection and information on any individuals who received this data.
Lummis emphasized that the surveillance of sitting U.S. Senators by the executive branch poses a severe threat to civil rights and constitutional responsibilities. She pointed out that such actions might infringe upon the legislative activities protected by the Speech or Debate Clause of the Constitution. “The American people deserve to know the truth about how the Biden administration weaponized federal law enforcement against their elected representatives,” she asserted in her letter.
In her closing remarks, Lummis underscored that those behind these actions would be held accountable. She thanked Patel for his attention to these requests, emphasizing the need to restore integrity to the FBI.
The context of the investigation, dubbed “Operation Arctic Frost,” began on April 13, 2022. Smith was appointed as special counsel overseeing the probe in November 2022. An FBI official described “Arctic Frost” as a “prohibited case,” indicating that the review required a heightened level of transparency.
In a related statement, Patel remarked, “The American people deserve the truth, and under my leadership, they will have it.” He echoed Lummis’s sentiments regarding accountability for those who abused their power within law enforcement.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino shared his concerns during a briefing with senators. He condemned the previous use of the FBI to track the private communications of lawmakers for political purposes, stating, “It is a disgrace that I have to stand on Capitol Hill and reveal this.” With new leadership, Bongino insists that the FBI will reform and move away from such practices.
In response to these revelations, the FBI has taken significant actions, including terminating employees and dismantling the CR-15 squad linked to these surveillance activities. Patel announced that these steps are part of a broader commitment to address the issues within the agency and restore its integrity.
Patel made clear that reform is a priority. He stated that the FBI is in a process of identifying and removing those who have exploited law enforcement for political ends. “We are cleaning up a diseased temple three decades in the making,” he explained, committing to restore trust and accountability within the bureau.
The unfolding situation raises critical questions about the relationship between surveillance practices and legislative duties. Lummis is not alone in her demand for transparency and accountability, as multiple lawmakers have expressed alarm over these developments. With calls for reform echoing throughout Washington, the implications of this surveillance could have lasting effects on the interplay between government branches and the public’s trust in federal law enforcement.
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