The FBI confiscated the phone of GOP Rep Scott Perry while he was traveling with his family. Perry was approached by three men who were FBI agents with a warrant ordering him to surrender his phone to them. The FBI made no attempt to reach Pery’s lawyer and have him surrender his phone.
Perry said:
“This morning, while traveling with my family, 3 FBI agents visited me and seized my cell phone. They made no attempt to contact my lawyer, who would have made arrangements for them to have my phone if that was their wish. I’m outraged — though not surprised — that the FBI under the direction of Merrick Garland’s DOJ, would seize the phone of a sitting Member of Congress. My phone contains info about my legislative and political activities, and personal/private discussions with my wife, family, constituents, and friends. None of this is the government’s business.”
House Judiciary Committee Republicans are now opening an investigation into DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz over his involvement in examining the cell phone. The DOJ IG has only the right to investigate those people who work for the DOJ and has no business meddling with anyone who isn’t.
The Washington Examiner reported:
House Judiciary Committee Republicans are opening an investigation into Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz over reports suggesting his office’s involvement in examining a cellphone the FBI seized from Rep. Scott Perry’s (R-PA).
A letter sent Monday by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), the ranking member, said such a move by the agency’s independent watchdog “creates a serious conflict of interest for the OIG in reviewing the Department’s actions.” Among the demands made of Horowitz were those for relevant documents and communications, as well as explanations for a forensic examination of Perry’s phone and concerns raised about the seizure. Jordan asked the inspector general to produce this material no later than 5 p.m. on Sept. 12.
Perry, chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, was served with a warrant for his cellphone by three FBI agents while traveling with his family earlier this month. The move was part of a federal investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, which started with the DOJ inspector general’s office and appears to have extended to prosecutors from the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington. A lawyer for the congressman said Perry is not a target of the inquiry, according to the New York Times.
