During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on October 7, 2025, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) raised concerns about the Department of Justice's (DOJ) alleged targeting of political opponents under President Joe Biden's administration. This discussion followed revelations that the FBI obtained cell phone records of eight Republican senators and a U.S. Representative as part of an investigation known as "Arctic Frost."
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The investigation, which began in early January 2021, is linked to Special Counsel Jack Smith's case against former President Donald Trump regarding alleged election-related misconduct. The lawmakers whose records were accessed include Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), and Representative Mike Kelly (R-Penn.).
Hawley criticized Democrats for their sudden concern over DOJ practices, suggesting it was disingenuous given their previous silence on the matter. "I just wrote it down, because I want to be sure I heard it correctly," he said, referencing claims that Biden had not targeted political enemies. "Gee, it sure looks like targeting political opponents to me."
Democratic senators, including Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.), expressed their apprehensions about the potential for political weaponization under a Trump administration. Blumenthal stated that Trump "embodies" weaponization, while Coons voiced concerns about Trump pressuring DOJ officials to prosecute his political adversaries.
Hawley highlighted various instances he believes illustrate the DOJ's misuse of power under Biden, including the targeting of Catholic individuals and parents attending school board meetings. He referenced a memo from Attorney General Merrick Garland that activated the FBI's counterterrorism division against parents who questioned school curricula, describing the treatment of one parent at a Virginia school board meeting as excessive.
Additionally, Hawley cited the case of Mark Houck, a pro-life advocate whose home was raided by an FBI SWAT team. He argued that these actions represent a broader pattern of targeting conservatives and political opponents. "This is what was happening under Joe Biden. United States senators: spied upon. Former president — the political opponent of the president of the time — targeted, prosecuted," he stated.
In response to Hawley's assertions, Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was testifying at the hearing, acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and called them "the ultimate weaponization."
Hawley concluded by calling for a special prosecutor to investigate the actions of the DOJ under Biden, urging the committee to hold hearings on the wiretaps, the Catholic memo, and the treatment of pro-life advocates. He described the Biden years as potentially the worst abuses of power in U.S. history.
The hearing reflects ongoing tensions between Democrats and Republicans regarding the DOJ's role and actions in political matters, particularly as the 2024 presidential election approaches. As both parties prepare for the upcoming electoral cycle, the scrutiny of the DOJ's practices is likely to remain a contentious issue.
Why it matters
- Sen. Hawley raised alarms about DOJ's alleged targeting of political opponents, highlighting concerns over civil liberties under Biden's administration.
- The FBI's investigation, 'Arctic Frost,' involved accessing records of Republican lawmakers, raising questions about political bias in federal agencies.
- Hawley's call for a special prosecutor reflects deepening partisan divides and concerns over the weaponization of government agencies against political adversaries.
- The hearing underscores the escalating scrutiny of the DOJ's actions as the 2024 presidential election approaches, intensifying political tensions.
What’s next
- Hawley urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to hold hearings on the DOJ's actions, including wiretaps and the Catholic memo.
- Calls for a special prosecutor to investigate the DOJ's practices under Biden may gain traction among Republican lawmakers.
- The committee's next steps could influence the narrative surrounding the DOJ as the election cycle heats up.