U.S. Sen. Rick Scott was targeted as part of a probe of events leading to the Jan. 6 riots. That effort was part of an Arctic Frost investigation Scott calls a “witch hunt.”
Scott said he only learned he was being investigated from U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican investigating alleged weaponization of the Justice Department during Democratic President Joe Biden’s term. The Arctic Frost investigation was conducted in support of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s prosecution of Trump on charges of trying to illegally overturn the 2020 election results.
“I was just informed by Senator Ron Johnson that I was targeted in the Arctic Frost witch hunt by Biden’s DOJ,” Scott posted on X. “Let’s be very clear: this was a targeted attack to dismantle the Republican Party, destroy me and other elected members of Congress, and take down President Trump. This is a complete weaponization of government and unconstitutional abuse of power by the corrupt Biden administration.”
Senate Republicans in recent weeks have slammed investigators for targeting sitting members of Congress. U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, released 197 subpoenas this week he said were used to target hundreds of Republicans, according to Fox News.
Of note, Scott was among eight members of the Senate who voted against certifying every electoral vote when Biden defeated President Donald Trump in the 2020 election. He voted against accepting Pennsylvania’s votes, though he voted to certify results from all other states. Ultimately, the Senate accepted all votes from every state.
Scott’s vote against accepting Pennsylvania’s electoral votes was cast after the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol, where Trump supporters attempted to disrupt the certification of the election results.
Grassley’s committee earlier this month published data showing the Arctic Frost investigation included obtaining cellphone records for nine Republican Senators, eight of whom still hold office. But Scott was not on that list.
Scott said any investigation of his activity was unwarranted, but predictable.
“I’ve seen this before. Biden’s IRS released my tax records. (Former President Bill) Clinton’s DOJ came after me for going against Hillarycare. This is the same disgusting corruption,” Scott posted. “Thank you, Chuck Grassley and Sen. Ron Johnson, for your work to hold the Biden admin accountable. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED. Everyone involved in this gross abuse of power must be held accountable.”
