A stunning revelation has emerged regarding the investigation into the January 6th Capitol riot: Special Counsel Jack Smith secretly obtained the private cellphone records of then-Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. This occurred in January 2023, a fact initially concealed from scrutiny.
The story began with a subpoena issued to AT&T, requesting McCarthy’s personal phone records. Initially, AT&T informed Senator Chuck Grassley they had not complied with the request. However, a recently discovered letter reveals a startling correction – the company *did* provide the records, inadvertently fulfilling the subpoena.
The information surfaced after a review triggered by prior reporting. AT&T acknowledged receiving a January 23, 2023 grand jury subpoena, accompanied by a strict non-disclosure order. The company stated its initial response was based on a limited review and didn’t recognize the number as belonging to a member of Congress.
This wasn’t an isolated incident. Records indicate Smith also sought the phone records of Representative Louie Gohmert. The details were documented in a “significant case notification” drafted by the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division months later, raising serious questions about the scope of the investigation.
McCarthy himself has condemned the actions, stating Smith “broke the law” by seizing his records as Speaker. He warned that if such tactics can be used against the highest-ranking official, they can be used against anyone, demanding accountability from the Department of Justice.
AT&T initially claimed to have raised concerns with Smith’s office regarding the legality of seeking records from members of Congress, and that the subpoena was dropped. However, the newly revealed information paints a different picture, demonstrating the records were ultimately handed over.
This disclosure follows previous reports that Smith’s team, operating under the codename “Arctic Frost,” tracked the communications of numerous Republican senators, including Lindsey Graham and Ron Johnson. The investigation focused on phone activity surrounding the January 6th events.
Smith’s legal team has defended the data collection as “entirely proper” and narrowly tailored to the four days surrounding the riot. Yet, the breadth of the surveillance and the initial misrepresentations regarding McCarthy’s records are fueling a growing investigation led by Senators Grassley and Johnson.
“Arctic Frost,” launched in April 2022, is now under intense scrutiny, with an FBI official describing the review process as requiring officials to go “above and beyond” to ensure transparency. The case has already cost taxpayers over $50 million, and the revelations continue to unfold.
The implications of these actions are far-reaching, raising fundamental questions about the balance between national security and the privacy rights of elected officials. The investigation is ongoing, and the full extent of the surveillance remains to be seen.
