Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) is calling for a full investigation by Attorney General Pam Bondi into what he labels a “gross abuse of power” by the Department of Justice (DOJ) during its “Arctic Frost” probe, following disclosures that the investigation secretly targeted him and other Republican lawmakers by subpoenaing their cell phone records.
In a scathing letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Sen. Scott asserted that the DOJ’s actions—which he characterizes as “secretive surveillance of Congress”—represent a “violent assault on our constitutional separation of powers” and a violation of federal law.
Allegations of Unlawful Concealment
The core of Sen. Scott’s complaint rests on the alleged secrecy surrounding the subpoenas. He revealed that he recently learned his own phone records were subpoenaed as part of the “Arctic Frost” investigation, and that Special Counsel Jack Smith and Judge James Boasberg prohibited his phone carrier from notifying him. RELATED: Florida Sen. Scott Reveals He Was Targeted In ‘Arctic Frost’ Probe, Blasts ‘Witch Hunt’
Scott contends this lack of notification directly violates 2 U.S.C. § 6628, a federal statute which he quotes as stating that “any provider for a Senate office… shall not be barred, through operation of any court order or any statutory provision, from notifying the Senate office of any legal process seeking disclosure of Senate data.” The statute defines “Senate office” broadly to include a Senator.
“Blatant Political Prosecution”
The Senator connected the DOJ’s actions to the political landscape, noting that Special Counsel Jack Smith was appointed just three days after Donald Trump announced his 2024 presidential campaign against then-President Biden. Scott labeled the probe a “blatant political prosecution,” citing that the subpoenas targeted over 400 Republicans and that “no legal predicate has been offered for this astonishing abuse of power.”
He further argued that the invasion of privacy directly “assaulted Congress’s core Article I functions protected by the Speech and Debate Clause.”
Demands for Accountability
Sen. Scott is urging Attorney General Bondi to launch a thorough investigation into the matter. He also requests that the findings be referred to appropriate state bar associations for disbarment proceedings against Jack Smith, and to Congress to assess whether to begin impeachment proceedings against Judge Boasberg.
“This type of corruption will not stop unless those responsible have been held fully accountable,” Sen. Scott wrote, recalling past instances where he claims to have been politically targeted by the government.
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