FBI seizes Trump-allied congressman’s cell phone without notice
FBI agents Tuesday confiscated Trump ally Rep. Scott Perry’s (R-PA) cell phone while he was traveling with his family, according to the lawmaker.
“This morning, while traveling with my family, 3 FBI agents visited me and seized my cell phone,” Perry said in a statement. “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,” added the retired National Guard Brigadier General.
The seizure comes a day after the Justice Department sent 30 FBI agents to raid President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in an unprecedented power grab that shocked the nation. The agents reportedly seized 10 boxes of documents, allegedly containing national archives, and broke into the president’s personal safe. "They were not being judicious about what they took," a source told Fox News.
Though President Trump stated he was “working and cooperating with the relevant Government agencies,” the FBI still carried out the unannounced raid in what appears to be a weaponization of America’s law enforcement to punish political opponents.
“As with President Trump last night, DOJ chose this unnecessary and aggressive action instead of simply contacting my attorneys,” Perry continued in his statement. “These kinds of banana republic tactics should concern every Citizen — especially considering the decision before Congress this week to hire 87,000 new IRS agents to further persecute law-abiding Citizens.”
The Justice Department has not provided an explanation for the seizure of Perry’s phone, though many speculate it is related to January 6 and was executed on behalf of the January 6 Select Committee.
In October 2021, Perry submitted articles of impeachment against U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland for “high crimes and misdemeanors,” including targeting parents who disagreed with COVID-19 mandates as domestic terrorists.
“Attorney General Garland has failed to faithfully uphold his oath and has instead presided over a reckless and corrosive politicization of the Department of Justice at the expense of our Nation’s children,” read the resolution.
In May America’s Frontline News reported that Garland lied under oath before Congress when he denied targeting politically dissident parents, according to internal emails provided by Justice Department whistleblowers.
