Sen. Rick Scott Demands Answers from Verizon on Release of Cell Phone Data in Arctic Frost Witch Hunt

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, following news that he was among several Republicans targeted by Biden's Department of Justice Arctic Frost witch hunt investigation, Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to the chief executive officer of Verizon, Daniel Schulman, demanding answers on Verizon's decision to release the cell phone data of the senator and his Republican colleagues in the unlawful investigation. Senator Scott has also called for an investigation by the Department of Justice and held a press conference earlier today with Senator Ron Johnson and Congressman Byron Donalds on the unlawful Arctic Frost probe - watch it HERE or below.

Read his full letter to Verizon HERE or below:

Dear Mr. Schulman:

As you are already aware, the Biden administration spied on Republican members of Congress by subpoenaing their cell phones records during its "Arctic Frost" investigation. The Biden administration's secretive surveillance of Congress not only represented a desecration of our constitutional separation of powers, but it also appears to have violated federal law.

2 U.S.C. § 6628(c) states, in clear and unambiguous terms, that "any provider for a Senate office . . . shall not be barred, through operation of any court order or any statutory provision, from notifying the Senate office of any legal process seeking disclosure of Senate data of the Senate office." When Biden-appointed Special Counsel Jack Smith subpoenaed Republican senators' phone records, Obama-appointed Judge James Boasberg ordered the phone carriers "not to notify any other person"-including the targeted senators and Senate office staff-"of the existence of [the] subpoena." In doing so, Judge Boasberg made findings that they might destroy "evidence" or even intimidate witnesses. Of course, the mere suggestion of impropriety is insulting and offensive. But more importantly, this gag order appears to have violated Section 6628(c).

Furthermore, Section 6628(d) states that if either a "Senate office or provider" files a motion to quash a subpoena that "require[s] the disclosure of Senate data," the court "shall quash" the subpoena or "modify" it so as not to disclose the data. Understanding that the gag order and subpoena were unlawful, your competitor, AT&T, appears to have rightfully refused to comply. Verizon, however, appears to have rolled over and complied with the unlawful subpoena and cover-up. Verizon claims that, because "a court ordered Verizon not to tell anyone," it "had no choice but to comply with the court order." Yet if AT&T refused to comply and Section 6628 clearly states otherwise, then presumably Verizon did have a choice. It just failed to make the right one.

I am a Verizon customer, and I recently discovered that my Verizon data was targeted by the subpoena and unlawful gag order. Rather than notifying my office that my Senate data was being compromised, as provided for in Section 6628(c), Verizon concealed this information from me. Verizon also failed to file a motion to quash as provided for in Section 6628(d). I am deeply disappointed in Verizon's failure to notify me or my office that my Senate data was exposed, as well as its failure to make any effort to protect my data.

While I understand this decision was made before your appointment as chief executive officer, I request a full explanation from Verizon no later than November 17, 2025, including:

• Why did Verizon fail to file a motion to quash and so readily relinquish my data?
• What measures has Verizon taken to ensure this does not happen again, including changes to service agreements and training protocols?
• What disciplinary measures were taken against those within the company who so readily rolled over and complied with the Jack Smith farce?

I ask these questions not only for myself, but also on behalf of the millions of Americans who believe their data is safe with Verizon.

###