Marsha Blackburn Sues Jack Smith Over Cell Phone Records
Senator Marsha Blackburn filed a lawsuit against former Special Counsel Jack Smith, alleging the unlawful seizure of her cell phone toll records.
U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee against former Special Counsel Jack Smith and the U.S. Department of Justice. The complaint, filed by the New Civil Liberties Alliance, alleges that Smith unlawfully subpoenaed Blackburn's cell phone toll records on May 25, 2023, during the Arctic Frost investigation.
The lawsuit claims Smith obtained a non-disclosure order by concealing that the target was a sitting senator, which prevented Blackburn from challenging the seizure under the Speech or Debate Clause of the Constitution. Furthermore, the legal challenge argues that Smith's appointment as Special Counsel violated the Appointments Clause because he was not nominated by the President or confirmed by the Senate.
Blackburn is seeking a judicial declaration that the seizure was unlawful, the destruction of the records, and nominal damages of one dollar. She characterized the investigation as a witch hunt and an abuse of government power.
