House Judiciary Committee alleges DOJ spied on Republican lawmakers

A report released by the House Judiciary Committee alleges that the Biden-Harris administration and Special Counsel Jack Smith violated constitutional protections to spy on Republican members of Congress. The committee claims the Department of Justice (DOJ) disregarded the separation of powers during investigations into former President Donald Trump.

The report states that investigators obtained phone toll records for 17 GOP members of Congress and text messages from as many as 44 individuals, some containing privileged information. Among those targeted were former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan. The committee asserts that these actions violated the Constitution’s Speech or Debate Clause, which protects legislative communications and actions from compelled disclosure.

According to the findings, Special Counsel Smith reportedly informed Attorney General Merrick Garland that members of Congress likely possessed valid Speech or Debate privileges, yet the investigation proceeded. The committee concluded that the DOJ used its authority to target political opposition by bypassing these legal safeguards.