Sen. Lindsey Graham is issuing his most forceful warning yet over the federal “Arctic Frost” investigation, vowing to file a lawsuit after learning that his private communications were swept up in the probe.
According to Fox News, while speaking with Sean Hannity on Tuesday, the South Carolina Republican said he has reached his breaking point.
“I think this was worse than Watergate, an effort to destroy President Trump, charge him with crimes that are just ridiculous, and come after people like me,” Graham said. “I’m not going to put up with this crap anymore. I’m going to sue.”
The investigation, overseen by former special counsel Jack Smith, allegedly tracked the private communications and phone records of nearly a dozen Republican lawmakers during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot inquiry. Fox News Digital reported last month that Graham was among those monitored.
Others reportedly subjected to tracking included Sens. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, Dan Sullivan of Alaska, and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, along with Rep. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania.
Republicans have increasingly framed the probe as part of a broader pattern of lawfare directed at President Donald Trump and his political allies. Graham pointed specifically to the timing of Smith’s appointment.
“Three days later, Jack Smith is appointed special counsel in November 2022,” he said, referring to Trump’s announcement of his 2024 presidential campaign. “By August of 2023, there are 91 felony charges against him coming from New York, Washington and Atlanta. My phone records were seized as part of this. I am tired of this.”
The FBI opened “Arctic Frost” on April 13, 2022. Smith took over as special counsel seven months later.
Graham has been a frequent critic of the investigation, previously telling Fox News that those behind the probe should “pay big” for what he argues is a violation of the separation of powers.
With his latest comments, the senator signaled he is ready to take the fight to court — and to make the “Arctic Frost” probe a high-profile political battle heading into 2025.
