Congress collected 30 million lines of phone data in Trump J6 probe, raising civil liberty concerns

Investigations surrounding the January 6 Capitol breach have led to revelations about extensive surveillance of phone data connected to Trump associates, raising serious civil liberty issues. Reports indicate that congressional investigators, with support from former lawmakers, collected an extraordinary amount of phone data in their efforts to scrutinize connections to the Trump administration.

1. Massive Data Collection:

• Congressional investigators collected 30 million lines of phone data related to conservatives and Trump officials while probing the January 6 Capitol incident.

• This data was gathered using congressional subpoenas without a warrant, raising concerns about potential violations of privacy rights.

2. Key Players:

• Former Representative Adam Kinzinger shared this data with the FBI shortly before the 2024 presidential elections, indicating that the data could potentially impact the electoral landscape.

• Denver Riggleman, another former lawmaker involved in the investigation, previously worked with law enforcement to connect phone numbers to names for deeper analysis.

3. Targeted Individuals:

• The FBI monitored the phone records of eight Republican senators and a GOP House member during investigations related to the events of January 6.

• The FBI also targeted a wide range of GOP officials and organizations, encompassing a total of 92 Republican-related entities as part of the inquiry.

4. Legal and Ethical Concerns:

• This extensive surveillance effort has sparked assertions regarding the abuse of congressional powers and the potential for illegal monitoring of political opponents.

• Legal experts believe this scrutiny may challenge the boundaries of congressional immunity and could result in future accountability measures.

5. Responses from Lawmakers:

• Republican Senator Chuck Grassley has actively sought to investigate these surveillance practices by contacting major telecom companies to disclose data related to the January 6 investigation.

• Grassley and others have called for greater scrutiny of the methods used by the FBI and the Department of Justice, criticizing the perceived political targeting of Republicans during investigations.

6. Connection to Other Investigations:

• The revelations also tie into broader investigations, including those spearheaded by Special Counsel Jack Smith.

• Riggleman’s later involvement with Hunter Biden's legal team has raised eyebrows due to his past relationship with the January 6 committee.

7. Impacts on Future Elections:

• The ongoing scrutiny surrounding the collection and analysis of this data may significantly influence the political landscape, especially with the upcoming 2024 presidential elections.

• Potential legal ramifications could emerge as discussions continue on the validity and justification of such extensive surveillance.

The extensive collection of phone data related to the January 6 investigations poses serious questions about civil liberties and the ethical limits of congressional oversight. The involvement of key figures and the implications for future political dynamics highlight the need for careful consideration of privacy rights and the prevention of political misuse of investigative powers. The ongoing discussions and potential legal challenges may shape the discourse around surveillance and congressional authority in American politics moving forward.

https://justthenews.com/government/congress/congress-collected-30-million-lines-phone-data-trump-j6-probe-raising-civil