Grassley says special counsel obtained texts from 44 members of Congress in 2020-2021 election probe

Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley of Iowa said Tuesday that former special counsel Jack Smith obtained text messages from 44 members of Congress during the federal probe into efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Grassley stated he was among the lawmakers whose communications with White House staff were reviewed.

Capitol on January 6, 2021, and classified documents found at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. Jack Smith oversaw both cases, which were dropped after Trump won the 2024 election. Smith has privately and publicly testified before the House Judiciary Committee this year.

Newsweek reported that Smith’s team obtained records containing text messages sent between members of Congress and senior White House officials between October 2020 and January 2021. The records were turned over by the National Archives in August 2023 following a subpoena. The lawmakers whose communications were in the records included New Jersey Senator Cory Booker.

Grassley posted on X that he received records from the Department of Justice confirming the review and that he is one of the 44. The post was viewed 1.4 million times. He wrote that he is alerting colleagues who were impacted and will release the records.

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul posted on X that new evidence confirms Smith spied on dozens of members of Congress, himself included, calling it a blatant abuse of power. The post was viewed 1.1 million times. ” Mississippi Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith wrote that the disclosure is a stunning abuse of power that should alarm every American.

Utah Senator Mike Lee wrote that Smith spied on him and several other senators then lied about it. Florida Senator Rick Scott wrote that he is fed up and that Jack Smith needs to be held accountable.