Senator Bill Hagerty Files FCC Complaint Against Verizon Over Release of Senate Phone Data
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Bill Hagerty, a Republican from Tennessee, has lodged a formal complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) accusing Verizon of unlawfully releasing his phone records to the Department of Justice (DOJ) during the ongoing investigation into former President Donald Trump and the 2020 election. The complaint, filed on February 9, 2026, alleges that Verizon’s compliance with subpoenas issued by Special Counsel Jack Smith’s team violated constitutional protections and customer privacy rights.
According to the complaint reviewed by Fox News Digital, Hagerty’s legal team demands that Verizon publicly acknowledge wrongdoing and discipline any employees responsible for handing over the sensitive phone data. The complaint further calls on the FCC to determine that Verizon violated federal law and to appoint an independent monitor to oversee the company’s compliance with privacy regulations going forward.
“Such discipline by the FCC would send a clear message that companies cannot collude with politically motivated prosecutors to violate customers’ rights,” Hagerty’s lawyers wrote. “Verizon is not above the law.” The complaint highlights concerns that the Biden-era DOJ’s subpoenas, which targeted phone records of Hagerty and other GOP senators, were politically motivated and infringed on legislative privacy.
This development comes amid heightened scrutiny of the DOJ’s investigation into Trump’s actions surrounding the 2020 presidential election. Special Counsel Jack Smith has been leading the probe, which has included subpoenas to telecommunications companies for phone metadata linked to several Republican lawmakers.
The FCC, the federal agency responsible for regulating interstate and international communications, now faces pressure to determine whether Verizon’s actions breached federal statutes protecting customer data. The complaint underscores the delicate balance between law enforcement’s investigative powers and the privacy rights of elected officials.
Verizon has not publicly commented on the complaint. The company’s cooperation with DOJ subpoenas is part of broader efforts by federal investigators to collect evidence related to allegations of election interference and other potential criminal conduct.
Legal experts note that while telecommunications providers are generally required to comply with lawful subpoenas, the release of data belonging to members of Congress raises unique constitutional questions. The Senate has long asserted protections against unauthorized surveillance of its members, rooted in the Speech or Debate Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Senator Hagerty’s complaint adds to ongoing debates about the scope of government surveillance and the safeguards necessary to protect elected officials from politically charged investigations. The FCC’s response to the complaint will be closely watched by privacy advocates, lawmakers, and telecommunications companies alike.
For more information on FCC regulations and privacy protections, visit the Federal Communications Commission’s consumer privacy guide. Details on the DOJ’s role in election-related investigations can be found at the Department of Justice Special Counsel Office. The Senate’s constitutional privileges are outlined by the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. For background on telecommunications subpoena compliance, see the Communications Act of 1934 administered by the FCC.
As the investigation and legal challenges unfold, the case underscores the complex intersection of national security, privacy rights, and political accountability in the digital age.
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