Justice has authorized prosecutors investigating the altercations that occurred at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, to access 1,659 files - including emails and text messages - from Republican Representative Scott Perry's cell phone. More than a year ago, the FBI seized the device and found a total of 2,055 records, however, the courts determined that investigators cannot obtain the remaining 396 because they are protected under the Speech or Debate Clause.
"Having now analyzed each of the 2,055 documents still at issue, the Court will order Perry to disclose 1,659 of them, but not the 396 others," wrote Judge James E. Boasberg, presiding judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, in his order.
Judge Boasberg explained that among the files that investigators have access to, there are some in which Perry talks about possible electoral fraud that was committed in the 2020 presidential votes.
In 2022, some time before Jack Smith took over as special prosecutor, the feds confiscated Perry's cell phone, a decision made due to the investigation that began into the altercations that occurred at the Capitol.
Along with his defense, the Republican representative urged that his device be returned, and the content not be accessed, turning to an appeals court. But Justice objected and ruled that the files could be examined, until the United States District Court for the District of Columbia authorized their viewing by investigators on January 6.
Perry, a representative from Pennsylvania, currently serves as chairman of the House Freedom Committee.
