FBI Surveillance of GOP Senators During Jan 6 Probe Sparks Political Backlash

Newly released documents reveal that Special Counsel Jack Smith authorized the FBI to surveil the private phone communications of nearly a dozen Republican senators and a GOP congressman during the January 6 investigation, focusing on their calls with Donald Trump as the Capitol riot unfolded. Republican leaders, including Sen. Josh Hawley and RNC Chairman Michael Whatley, condemned the surveillance as a politically motivated abuse of power akin to "Biden's Stasi" tactics, accusing the Biden administration of weaponizing justice against Trump and his allies. Former and retired FBI agents raised concerns about the political motivations behind the surveillance and the misuse of federal terrorism surveillance programs for non-terrorism targets. Smith's investigations, including the classified documents case and the January 6 probe, have been criticized as partisan efforts aimed at undermining Trump's 2024 campaign, with tactics such as gag orders and raids on Trump associates further intensifying the perception of politically targeted law enforcement actions. These events underscore a broader controversy over the impartiality and scope of the Justice Department's actions under Smith's direction in politically sensitive cases.