Questions surrounding one of the most controversial investigations of President Donald Trump are taking a new turn after senior Republicans claimed they uncovered evidence that could expose a former special counsel to criminal liability.
The allegations center on sworn testimony given before Congress and are already prompting calls for a new Justice Department investigation, though no criminal charges have been filed and the claims have not been tested in court.
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, says newly obtained Justice Department information indicates former Special Counsel Jack Smith’s team accessed the contents of text messages belonging to members of Congress during the FBI’s Arctic Frost investigation, despite Smith previously telling lawmakers that investigators did not examine those communications.
Smith testified before the House Judiciary Committee last year that investigators may have collected records showing the times, dates and recipients of phone calls and text messages involving members of Congress.
However, he maintained that investigators never reviewed the contents of lawmakers’ text messages.
According to Grassley, recently obtained Justice Department information paints a different picture.
The Iowa Republican said the records indicate investigators not only gained access to the contents of congressional text messages but also violated Justice Department protocols governing such investigative activity.
