The FBI has seized the cell phone of Republican Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), a close ally of President Donald Trump, according to reports.
Perry told Fox News on Tuesday that he was “visited” by “three FBI agents” while he was traveling with his family.
He said the agents handed him a warrant and told him to hand over his cell phone.
The confiscation of the congressman’s personal phone comes one day after FBI agents raided President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Florida.
According to Trump’s lawyer, the FBI removed about a dozen boxes from a basement at Mar-a-Lago on Monday.
NEW: FBI removed about a dozen boxes from a basement at Mar-a-Lago on Monday, according to Trump's lawyer. After Trump gave over 15 boxes earlier this year, federal officials believed he still had more — and his team wasn't telling the whole truth. https://t.co/CWa8Mbq1mg
— Josh Dawsey (@jdawsey1) August 9, 2022
“This morning, while traveling with my family, three FBI agents visited me and seized my cell phone,” Perry said.
“They made no attempt to contact my lawyer, who would have made arrangements for them to have my phone if that was their wish.
“I’m outraged — though not surprised — that the FBI under the direction of Merrick Garland’s DOJ, would seize the phone of a sitting Member of Congress.
“My phone contains info about my legislative and political activities, and personal/private discussions with my wife, family, constituents, and friends.
“None of this is the government’s business,” he said.
“As with President Trump last night, DOJ chose this unnecessary and aggressive action instead of simply contacting my attorneys.
“These kinds of banana republic tactics should concern every Citizen — especially considering the decision before Congress this week to hire 87,000 new IRS agents to further persecute law-abiding Citizens.”
