FBI Shuts Down CR‑15 After Disclosure That Task Force Monitored GOP Senators
As part of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s Arctic Frost Jan. 6 probe, a Sept. 27, 2023 “preliminary toll analysis” shows the FBI obtained basic call‑metadata (dates/times, dialed numbers and locations—not call content) for Jan. 4–7, 2021 for nine Republican lawmakers (Sens. Lindsey Graham, Bill Hagerty, Josh Hawley, Dan Sullivan, Tommy Tuberville, Ron Johnson, Cynthia Lummis, Marsha Blackburn) and Rep. Mike Kelly, a document senators say was produced after Sen. Chuck Grassley’s request and authorized by a grand jury. After the disclosure and GOP objections, FBI Director Kash Patel announced the CR‑15 public‑corruption squad was dismantled and agents tied to the matter were fired or reassigned as the bureau pursues an internal investigation, while lawmakers have sought records and carriers such as Verizon have been pressed for information.
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📌 Key Facts
- A Sept. 27, 2023 CAST/“preliminary toll analysis” document tied to Special Counsel Jack Smith’s Jan. 6 investigation (“Arctic Frost”) was disclosed by senators; they say it was produced after a request from Sen. Chuck Grassley and that the step was authorized by a grand jury.
- The analysis lists nine Republican lawmakers whose phone records were examined: Sens. Lindsey Graham, Bill Hagerty, Josh Hawley, Dan Sullivan, Tommy Tuberville, Ron Johnson, Cynthia Lummis, Marsha Blackburn, and Rep. Mike Kelly.
- The FBI sought basic tolling call metadata (dates/times, call length, dialed numbers and cell‑site location data) covering Jan. 4–7, 2021 — investigators say no call content was collected.
- An FBI official confirmed Jack Smith’s team could see which numbers senators called and the locations where calls originated/ended; news outlets and legal experts have noted metadata collection is not the same as wiretapping under federal law and DOJ allies argued targets were not 'surveilled' via eavesdropping.
- FBI Director Kash Patel announced CR‑15, a public‑corruption task group, was dismantled after the revelations and said several agents tied to the unit have been fired, reassigned, or are under an internal investigation; Deputy Director Dan Bongino echoed calls for transparency and accountability.
- Republican responses include Sen. Josh Hawley’s public condemnation (calling the probe 'Biden’s Stasi' and demanding a special counsel and prosecutions), Sen. Cynthia Lummis’s formal demand for all FBI/DOJ records related to monitoring of her communications (and invocation of separation‑of‑powers/Speech or Debate concerns), and Sen. Bill Hagerty’s demand to Verizon for details about its disclosure of his toll records.
- Reporting links the FBI action to the Fox‑obtained preliminary analysis, notes some ambiguity about whether agents were fired or reassigned, and shows the disclosures have prompted internal FBI inquiries and a wider public debate over oversight and legal justification.
- Verizon had no immediate public comment on requests for subscriber data in the matter.
📰 Sources (10)
Hagerty presses Verizon over FBI’s access to his phone records during Jack Smith probe
New information:
- Sen. Bill Hagerty sent a demand letter to Verizon seeking when and why the carrier disclosed his toll records, what legal process was used (subpoena/request/demand), the scope of data provided, and any steps Verizon took to narrow or oppose the request.
- Hagerty says Verizon did not notify him about the disclosure and set a response deadline for the end of Friday.
- An FBI official described 'Arctic Frost' as a 'prohibited case' requiring enhanced transparency measures and confirmed agents could see dialed numbers and the locations where calls originated and were received.
- 'Arctic Frost' was opened on April 13, 2022; Jack Smith was appointed special counsel in November 2022.
- Verizon did not immediately comment on the matter.
Fact checking Hawley’s claims that the FBI ‘tapped’ his and other senators’ phones
New information:
- Clarifies the FBI sought 'tolling data' (call metadata) for Jan. 4–7, 2021 rather than wiretapping; no call content was collected.
- Names the nine lawmakers cited by Grassley and aligns Hawley’s claims with the document scope.
- Introduces the investigation code name 'Arctic Frost' and notes it launched in 2022.
- Legal experts quoted say metadata collection is not 'wiretapping' under federal law.
GOP senator demands FBI reveal if surveillance went beyond Jack Smith’s phone tracking
New information:
- Sen. Cynthia Lummis sent a formal letter to FBI Director Kash Patel demanding all FBI/DOJ records related to surveillance of her communications, including who authorized it, what was collected, legal justifications, and with whom data was shared.
- Lummis also requested documentation of any other FBI/DOJ surveillance of her from Jan. 20, 2021, through Jan. 20, 2025 tied to her official Senate duties.
- Her letter thanks Patel, President Trump, and AG Pam Bondi for 'transparency' about 'Operation Arctic Frost' and argues the monitoring violates separation of powers and the Speech or Debate Clause.
- An FBI official told Fox News Digital that Jack Smith’s team could view which numbers senators called and the locations where calls originated and were received.
Dem rep defends DOJ obtaining GOP senator call records in 2023: 'You weren't surveilled'
New information:
- Rep. Daniel Goldman publicly defended DOJ actions on X, writing 'You weren't surveilled' and stating DOJ obtained only basic toll records (date, time, length) after the fact.
- Article cites the existence of a CAST Assistance document dated Sept. 27, 2023 by name and links it to Jack Smith's 'Arctic Frost' Jan. 6 probe.
- Reports Sen. Ron Johnson said he was briefed on the matter by FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino (per Johnson’s post).
FBI shuts down corruption group, fires agents after they monitored GOP lawmakers
New information:
- FBI Director Kash Patel publicly said CR‑15 — a corruption task group — was 'dismantled' following revelations about monitoring of GOP lawmakers.
- Patel said several agents tied to the unit have been fired or reassigned (Axios notes the firings but says clarity remains if fired or reassigned).
- Axios links the action to a Fox News‑obtained document showing 'preliminary toll analysis' of communications from nine Republican senators.
FBI analyzed phone records of senators as part of Trump Jan. 6 probe, lawmakers say
New information:
- Names the specific lawmakers whose records were analyzed: Sen. Lindsey Graham, Sen. Bill Hagerty, Sen. Josh Hawley, Sen. Dan Sullivan, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, Sen. Ron Johnson, Sen. Cynthia Lummis, Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Rep. Mike Kelly.
- Provides the date on the FBI document: Sept. 27, 2023.
- Clarifies the data type and timeframe: basic call‑metadata (dates/times, not content) covering several days during the week of Jan. 6, 2021.
- Notes that senators disclosed the document in response to a request from Sen. Chuck Grassley and that investigators said the step was authorized by a grand jury.
FBI fires agents, dismantles corruption squad after probe unveils monitoring of GOP senators, Patel says
New information:
- FBI Director Kash Patel announced the bureau has terminated employees connected to the matter and abolished the CR‑15 public‑corruption squad.
- Patel said the FBI has initiated an ongoing internal investigation and posted statements on X promising further accountability measures.
- FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino publicly echoed the director's statements of transparency and accountability.
Hawley rips Jack Smith’s ‘Biden’s Stasi’ probe, calls alleged spying ‘abuse of power beyond Watergate’
New information:
- Sen. Josh Hawley’s extended, on‑the‑record condemnation using the phrase 'Biden’s Stasi' and calling for a 'full investigation' and prosecution of anyone who violated the law.
- Explicit statement in this piece clarifying the tracking involved call logs and timestamps (metadata) rather than the content of calls, repeated as part of Hawley’s reaction.
- Public call by Hawley for appointment of a special counsel devoted to investigating the matter and questions about who ordered/approved the surveillance.
FBI analyzed some Republican lawmakers' phone records as part of Trump Jan. 6 probe
New information:
- CBS names nine lawmakers listed in the Sept. 27, 2023 'preliminary toll analysis': Sens. Lindsey Graham, Bill Hagerty, Josh Hawley, Dan Sullivan, Tommy Tuberville, Ron Johnson, Cynthia Lummis, Marsha Blackburn, and Rep. Mike Kelly.
- The FBI analysis examined call metadata (date/time) but not call content.
- The document is dated Sept. 27, 2023 and the senators say it was found in response to Sen. Chuck Grassley’s request.
- Senators disclosed the analysis and said it was authorized by a grand jury; the probe in question was the now‑shuttered special counsel/Jackson Smith investigation into Jan. 6‑related efforts to overturn 2020 results.