Biden DOJ Subpoenaed MY Phone Records, Spied on 20% of GOP Senators, plus Lunch w Trump in the Rose Garden

19 snips

Oct 22, 2025

Senator Cruz reveals his phone records were subpoenaed by the DOJ, which he calls a politically motivated attack. He highlights concerns about the executive branch spying on lawmakers, likening it to a modern-day Watergate. Cruz shares insights from a lunch with Trump, where they discussed renovations to the Rose Garden and humorous plans for a new 'Monica Lewinsky Room.' The conversation also touches on government shutdown dynamics and ongoing Congressional responses to these developments.

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INSIGHT

DOJ Phone Subpoenas Target Senators

Ted Cruz says the Biden DOJ subpoenaed his phone records but AT&T refused to comply citing the Speech and Debate Clause.
Cruz frames this as executive-branch spying on legislators and a dangerous politicization of DOJ power.

ANECDOTE

AT&T Refused Cruz's Subpoena

Cruz recounts AT&T reviewing the subpoena, recognizing his number, and refusing to hand over his records.
He praises AT&T for invoking the Speech and Debate Clause and protecting his communications.

INSIGHT

Operation 'Arctic Frost' Framed As Watergate

Cruz calls the operation "Arctic Frost" and compares it to a modern Watergate as partisan weaponization of justice.
He says the decision likely reached up to the attorney general and the White House and demands transparency and hearings.

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1. DOJ Subpoenas and Alleged Political Surveillance

Senator Cruz reveals that Jack Smith, Special Counsel under the Biden DOJ, subpoenaed his phone records as part of an investigation into events surrounding January 6th.
Cruz was not initially listed among the nine Republican senators whose records were obtained because his phone provider, AT&T, refused to comply with the subpoena, citing constitutional protections under the Speech and Debate Clause.
The DOJ reportedly obtained records from Verizon for other senators, including Marsha Blackburn, Ron Johnson, Josh Hawley, and Lindsey Graham.
Cruz and Ferguson characterize the subpoenas as a politically motivated fishing expedition, lacking criminal justification.

2. Concerns Over Abuse of Power

Cruz argues this represents a dangerous precedent of the executive branch spying on legislative members.
He calls for hearings and investigations to uncover who authorized the subpoenas and to prevent future abuses.
The operation is referred to as “Arctic Frost”, which Cruz likens to a modern-day Watergate.

3. Meeting with Donald Trump at the White House

Cruz recounts a lunch with Trump and other Republican senators, where Trump showcased renovations to the Rose Garden and plans for a new ballroom.
The upgrades are privately funded, not taxpayer-funded, yet have drawn criticism from Democrats.
Trump also distributed personalized gifts (e.g., challenge coins, golf towels, M&Ms) and joked about naming a room the “Monica Lewinsky Room.”

4. Government Shutdown

Cruz discusses the ongoing government shutdown, blaming Democrats for refusing to vote to reopen.
He notes that only three Democrats have supported reopening efforts, despite impacts on TSA agents and air traffic controllers.
He predicts that retiring Democrats may eventually break ranks to end the shutdown.

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