On Wednesday night, federal agents seized a cell phone belonging to Richard Burr, according to the Los Angeles Times, as part of a broader investigation into stock sales made by the North Carolina Republican senator in the lead-up to the nationwide closures due to the coronavirus.
On Wednesday night, federal agents seized a cell phone belonging to Richard Burr, according to the Los Angeles Times, as part of a broader investigation into stock sales made by the North Carolina Republican senator in the lead-up to the nationwide closures due to the coronavirus.
Which is a very big deal — for several reasons.
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First and foremost, it suggests a seriousness in terms of the investigation that we were not aware of prior to Wednesday. That investigators were able to obtain a warrant — and seize Burr’s cell phone — suggest they have reason to believe that Burr’s actions merit a much closer look. It also suggests, as CNN security correspondent Josh Campbell, a former FBI official, has noted that the top officials at the Department of Justice are aware of the investigation because when the FBI looks into an elected official it falls under the category of a “Sensitive Investigative Matter.” Additionally, Campbell pointed out, since FBI agents work with prosecutors to obtain search warrants, the Justice Department would have been aware of any court orders requested by the FBI to search Burr’s phone for possible evidence of criminal activity.
In short: Federal officials don’t get or execute a warrant against a sitting US senator on a whim. Or without the top officials at Justice knowing about it.
