Biden DOJ subpoenaed Jim Jordan’s phone records covering more than two years
In a significant development reported by Fox News Digital, the Department of Justice (DOJ) subpoenaed the personal phone records of House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan in 2022. This subpoena, which sought toll records spanning over two years from January 1, 2020, to the time of the request, was issued by a federal prosecutor involved in special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into the January 6 Capitol riot. This request marks one of the most extensive known efforts to obtain phone records from current and former members of Congress in the context of the Arctic Frost investigation, which has led to election-related charges against former President Donald Trump. Notably, the subpoena was issued while Jordan was serving in a prominent oversight role, drawing sharp criticisms from Republican lawmakers who argue that such requests infringe upon the separation of powers and the speech or debate clause.
The subpoena specifically sought details about the timing of calls and messages made by Jordan, as well as the identities of individuals he communicated with, although it did not include the actual content of those communications. Additionally, the request encompassed three other redacted phone numbers and came with a gag order, preventing disclosure of the subpoena’s existence for a year. This incident is part of a broader trend, as other prominent Republican figures, including former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and at least ten Republican senators, have also had their phone records targeted in relation to the Arctic Frost investigation. Smith has defended the legitimacy of the subpoenas, asserting that they align with DOJ policies and are appropriately tailored to the investigation’s needs.
Verizon, which complied with the DOJ’s request by providing the relevant documents, emphasized its commitment to transparency and cooperation with Congressional inquiries. In a statement, the company indicated that it had discovered new information regarding Chairman Jordan and promptly shared it with him. As the investigation continues, the implications of these subpoenas on the relationship between Congress and the executive branch are likely to spark further debate, particularly regarding the balance of power and the rights of lawmakers in oversight roles. The unfolding situation raises critical questions about the extent of governmental authority in monitoring communications and the potential impact on legislative processes.
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FIRST ON FOX:
The
Department of Justice
subpoenaed the personal phone records of House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan in 2022, seeking the Ohio Republican’s phone data covering a more than two-year period.
The subpoena, obtained by Fox News Digital, shows a federal prosecutor who later worked on special counsel Jack Smith’s Jan. 6 investigation ordered Verizon to hand over the phone data, also known as toll records, reaching back to Jan. 1, 2020.
The request appears to be the most expansive yet of the publicly known subpoenas targeting senators and current and former
House members
during Arctic Frost, the investigation that led to Smith bringing election-related charges against President Donald Trump.
JACK SMITH TARGETED THEN-HOUSE SPEAKER MCCARTHY’S PRIVATE PHONE RECORDS IN J6 PROBE, FBI DOCS REVEAL
Smith did not begin working as special counsel until seven months after the subpoena was issued, meaning the request pre-dated his time at the DOJ.
The subpoena for Jordan’s records appears to be one of the first known ones in the Arctic Frost probe and was issued during a time when Jordan was serving as the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, which conducts oversight of the DOJ. His role at the time is illustrative of Republicans’ sharp criticisms of the Arctic Frost subpoenas, as they claim the requests for Congress members’ phone records breached the separation of powers, including under the speech or debate clause.
The toll records did not include the contents of Jordan’s phone calls or messages but did include details about when calls and messages were sent and received and with whom Jordan was communicating. The subpoena sought records for three other phone numbers, which were redacted. It included a one-year gag order signed by a D.C. magistrate judge.
Read a copy of the subpoena below. App users click
here
.
Jordan, a close Trump ally, is the latest in a string of lawmakers to have recently learned that the DOJ sought their toll records as part of Arctic Frost. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s were sought in 2023, as were the records of what Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said were at least
10 Republican senators
, including Sens. Lindsey Graham, Marsha Blackburn, Ted Cruz and Ron Johnson.
Smith has said
that his investigation into the Jan. 6 riot and 2020 election was consistent with DOJ policies and that the subpoenas he was involved with sending were “entirely proper” and narrowly tailored.
Verizon produced documents for the DOJ in response to the subpoena pertaining to Jordan, a source told Fox News Digital.
Verizon said in a statement it has been coordinating with the House and
Senate
Judiciary committees and “working tirelessly” to gather information on the subpoenas related to lawmakers.
“As part of our investigation, we uncovered new information regarding Chairman Jordan and shared it with him as soon as possible,” Verizon spokesman Rich Young said. “We are committed to restoring trust through transparency and will continue to work with Congress and the administration as they examine these issues and consider reforms to expand notification protections.”
