Former Special Counsel Jack Smith and his team allegedly monitored the private communications of several Republican senators as part of the investigation into the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, according to documents obtained by Fox News Digital.

The document, titled “CAST Assistance” and dated 27 September 2023, reportedly lists the names of GOP Senators including Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, Dan Sullivan of Alaska, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, as well as Republican Representative Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania.

“CAST” refers to the FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team, which is used to review phone records. The document marks the case ID as “ARCTIC FROST—Election Law Matters—SENSITIVE INVESTIGATIVE MATTER—CAST.”

An FBI official told Fox News Digital that Smith’s team was able to access information including which phone numbers were contacted, as well as the locations from which and to which calls were made. A source indicated that the communications were likely related to the certification of the 2020 presidential election.

The records were reportedly collected in 2023 after Smith’s team subpoenaed major telephone providers. The investigation, code-named “Arctic Frost,” was initiated within the FBI on April 13, 2022, and Smith was appointed as special counsel in November 2022 to continue the probe into January 6.

Following the discovery of the records, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino and FBI Director Kash Patel briefed the affected lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Bongino told Fox News Digital: “It is a disgrace that I have to stand on Capitol Hill and reveal this — that the FBI was once weaponized to track the private communications of US lawmakers for political purposes. That era is over.”

He added:”Under our leadership, the FBI will never again be used as a political weapon against the American people.”

Patel also emphasised the importance of transparency, stating: “The American people deserve the truth, and under my leadership, they will have it. We promised accountability for those who weaponized law enforcement, and we will deliver it… Under our watch, the FBI will never again be turned against the American people.”

The discovery reportedly follows an oversight request by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), prompting Patel and Bongino to direct additional review of the “Arctic Frost” case. FBI officials described it as a “prohibited case” and said extra measures were taken to ensure transparency.

Smith had previously charged US President Donald Trump in connection with efforts to overturn the 2020 election. After Trump was elected President, Smith sought to dismiss the case, a request granted by Judge Tanya Chutkan.