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Legislators

Bipartisan Lawmakers Demand DOJ and FBI Release Records on Unprecedented Collection of Congressional Phone Data

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A bipartisan group of 18 lawmakers, led by Senator Ashley Moody, Senator Chuck Grassley, and Senator Ron Johnson, is demanding that the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) produce all records related to the Biden administration's secret collection of phone data from Members of Congress as part of its Arctic Frost investigation. The lawmakers argue that this unprecedented action raises serious constitutional concerns and that Congress' need for the records outweighs any interest in secrecy.

Key Takeaways:

  • 18 lawmakers, including Senator Ashley Moody, Senator Chuck Grassley, and Senator Ron Johnson, have signed a letter demanding the DOJ and FBI produce all records related to the collection of congressional phone data.
  • The lawmakers argue that the Biden administration's actions are unprecedented and raise serious constitutional concerns.
  • The FBI initially informed lawmakers that it possessed call logs from at least nine Members of Congress (MOC) between January 4, 2021, and January 7, 2021.
  • The FBI's collection of MOC phone data is subject to federal grand jury secrecy requirements, but the lawmakers argue that Congress' need for the records outweighs any interest in secrecy.
  • The lawmakers are requesting that the DOJ seek judicial authorization to release the records, which include communications between DOJ and FBI personnel, the Biden White House, and cell phone carrier companies.
  • The group includes 9 Republican senators, 4 Republican representatives, and 5 Democratic senators.

Statistics:

  • 9 Members of Congress (MOC) had their phone data collected by the FBI as part of the Arctic Frost investigation.
  • The FBI possessed call logs from these MOCs between January 4, 2021, and January 7, 2021.
  • The FBI cannot currently access many of the records related to this matter due to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 6(e) grand jury secrecy requirements.
  • The lawmakers are requesting that the DOJ and FBI produce all records in unredacted form, including communications between and among DOJ and FBI personnel regarding the MOC call logs.

Sources:

  • A letter signed by 18 lawmakers, including Senator Ashley Moody, Senator Chuck Grassley, and Senator Ron Johnson.
  • A briefing by FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino on October 6, 2025.
  • A document listing the MOC targeted by the FBI's collection of call logs.
  • Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 6(e).

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