WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Rep. Scott Perry mentioned his cellphone was seized Tuesday morning by FBI brokers carrying a search warrant.

The circumstances surrounding the seizure weren’t instantly identified. Perry, although, has been a determine within the congressional investigation into President Donald Trump’s actions main as much as the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol revolt.

Former senior Justice Division officers have testified that Perry, a Pennsylvania Republican, had “an essential position” in Trump’s effort to attempt to set up Jeffrey Clark — a high Justice official who was pushing Trump’s baseless claims of election fraud — because the appearing lawyer basic.

In an announcement Tuesday, Perry mentioned three brokers visited him whereas he was touring Tuesday along with his household and “seized my cellular phone.” He referred to as the motion “banana republic techniques.”

“They made no try to contact my lawyer, who would have made preparations for them to have my cellphone if that was their want,” Perry mentioned. “I’m outraged – although not shocked – that the FBI below the course of Merrick Garland’s DOJ, would seize the cellphone of a sitting Member of Congress.”

The lawmaker, representing Pennsylvania’s 10th District, was cited greater than 50 instances in a Senate Judiciary report launched in October 2021 outlining how Trump’s effort to overturn his election defeat to Joe Biden introduced the Justice Division to the brink of chaos and prompted high officers there and on the White Home to threaten to resign.

Perry, who has constantly disputed the validity of Biden’s victory in Pennsylvania, has mentioned he obliged Trump’s request for an introduction to Clark, then an assistant lawyer basic whom Perry knew from unrelated legislative issues. The three males went on to debate their shared considerations in regards to the election, Perry has mentioned.

The Justice Division discovered no proof of widespread fraud in Pennsylvania or every other state, and senior Justice officers dismissed Perry’s claims.

The Senate report outlined a name Perry made to then-acting Deputy Legal professional Normal Wealthy Donoghue in December 2020 to say the division wasn’t doing its job with respect to the elections. Perry inspired Donoghue to elicit Clark’s assist as a result of he’s “the form of man who may actually get in there and do one thing about this,” the report mentioned.

Perry has mentioned his “official communications” with Justice Division officers have been in line with the legislation.

The Justice Division’s inspector basic performed a search in June of Clark’s Virginia house.

Perry slammed the Justice Division’s choice to serve him with a warrant as an “pointless and aggressive motion.”

“My cellphone comprises information about my legislative and political actions, and private/non-public discussions with my spouse, household, constituents, and mates,” Perry mentioned. None of that is the federal government’s enterprise.”

The seizure of Scott’s cellphone was first reported by Fox Information Channel.