Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) accused the Biden FBI of targeting nearly a dozen Republican senators during an investigation into election-related conspiracy theories. Grassley claimed a document revealed the bureau spied on eight GOP lawmakers, including Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.). The probe, initially called Arctic Frost, later became part of Jack Smith’s case against former President Donald Trump.

Grassley criticized the FBI’s actions as “unconstitutional” and demanded accountability from Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel. He cited a Sept. 27, 2023, document labeled “CAST Assistance,” which referenced cellular analysis of limited toll records. The case ID for the file was marked “ARCTIC FROST — Election Law Matters — SENSITIVE INVESTIGATIVE MATTER — CAST.”

Lawmakers alleged they were surveilled not for criminal activity but due to their political affiliations. Hagerty stated, “The only thing we all had in common was we were all Republicans.” Blackburn and Johnson echoed similar claims, calling the actions an “outrageous abuse of power” and a “blatant political persecution.”

Hawley accused the Biden administration of “spying on the president’s political opponents,” describing the alleged surveillance as a “profound violation of the separation of powers.” He compared the conduct to Watergate, stating it was “worse than Watergate” and part of a broader pattern of executive overreach.

FBI Director Patel denied the allegations, insisting the bureau would ensure “truth and accountability” and reject any weaponization against the American people. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) called for a full investigation into the claims.