Sen. Ted Cruz's phone records were subpoenaed as part of then-special counsel Jack Smith's investigations into then-former President Trump, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: Congressional Republicans have demanded investigations over the news that former President Biden's Justice Department obtained and reviewed some lawmakers' call logs.
- Cruz's phone records were ultimately not analyzed as part of Smith's Jan. 6 Capitol attack investigation because AT&T did not comply with the subpoena, according to a source directly familiar with the situation.
Between the lines: The disclosure makes Cruz the ninth Republican senator for whom the Justice Department sought phone records, according to a copy of a subpoena obtained by Axios. His inclusion was not previously known.
- Cruz joins Sens. Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.), Ron Johnson (Wis.), Bill Hagerty (Tenn.), Josh Hawley (Mo.), Cynthia Lummis (Wyo.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.)— as well as Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) — according to a release by a Senate panel.
Zoom in: The newly reported subpoena requested records associated with Cruz's cellphone from Jan. 4-7, 2021.
- The document spells out the request for names, addresses, "detail records for inbound and outbound calls, text messages, direct connect, and voicemail messages," among other information.
What he's saying: "Arctic Frost was the Biden administration's 21st-century digital Watergate," Cruz said in a statement to Axios.
- "They weaponized the DOJ and FBI to try to access records on me, President Trump, and other political opponents of the Democrat Party," Cruz said.
- "It was intentional, targeted political spying that likely went to the very highest levels of the administration — demonstrating utter contempt for the Constitution and separation of powers — and there should be the broadest possible investigations and accountability."
What to watch: The House Judiciary Committee last week called for Smith to testify before the panel.
- Blackburn has demanded answers from phone companies and called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate.
The big picture: The increased scrutiny of Smith's actions comes as other critics and investigators of Trump have been recently targeted by the Justice Department.
- Smith investigated both Jan. 6th and Trump's misuse of classified documents.
- Trump's former national security advisor John Bolton was most recently indicted on charges related to mishandling classified documents.
- It follows indictments of New York Attorney General Letitia James, who prosecuted Trump, and former FBI Director James Comey.
