Multiple former congressional staffers who had direct oversight responsibility for the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) unknowingly had their phone and email records seized by the DOJ in 2017.
The staffers revealed over the past few days they received notifications from Apple, Google, as well as other tech firms that their private correspondence was seized via grand jury subpoenas or search warrants.
Officials also admit the actions were linked to the FBI’s “Crossfire Hurricane” Investigation into the bogus claims of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential elections. The revelations raise fears that those overseeing the legislative branch were actively monitored by those responsible for executive branch oversight.
Kash Patel, who was made aware of the DOJ’s seizures last year, recently filed a lawsuit against the DOJ and FBI on the grounds they violated his civil liberties. The action alleges the former FBI director, Chris Wray, participated in the approval of the grand jury subpoena.
“It is particularly troubling and a clear violation of Mr. Patel’s Fourth Amendment rights that the FBI and DOJ agents would seek Mr. Patel’s personal information due to his role in a legitimate oversight investigation,” the lawsuit argues.
“The Justice Department’s secret targeting of congressional investigators is a new low in the agency’s sordid history of abusing its authority to evade accountability,” argued Republican Senator for Iowa Charles Grassley, responding to the revelations.
“Ever since the botched Crossfire Hurricane investigation came to light, the FBI and Justice Department have gone to great lengths to cover up and distract from their own malfeasance,” Senator Grassley added.
