During Jack Smith’s tenure as Special Counsel, he controversially obtained phone records of dozens of lawmakers, including those of then-Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.). These revelations prompted Graham’s fellow senators of both parties to push for legislation to prevent Jack Smith’s successors in that role from improperly obtaining lawmaker records ever again.
Legislation like the NDO Fairness Act, first introduced by Sens. Mike Lee (R., Utah) and Chris Coons (D., Del.), would restrict law enforcement from accessing individuals’ private data without disclosure. Momentum for the NDO Fairness Act has only grown in recent months; the Washington Reporter has covered why lawmakers in both chambers, like Sens. Rick Scott (R., Fla.) and Eric Schmitt (R., Mo.), and Reps. Craig Goldman (R., Texas) and Jeff Crank (R., Colo.) have backed legislation like the NDO Fairness Act.
But in an exclusive interview with the Reporter, Graham’s sister, now-Sen. Darline Graham (R., S.C.), said that she will take a leadership role along with a number of lawmakers who want to reform nondisclosure orders (NDO). “Yes,” she told the Reporter, she wants to continue lead on brother’s legislative work to ensure Jack Smith’s abuse of power can never happen again.
“Nobody should be above the law, and that includes the people entrusted with enforcing it,” Graham added. “What happened with Jack Smith and Arctic Frost raises serious questions about whether the federal government’s power was weaponized for political purposes. I believe it was. Americans deserve answers, and Congress has a responsibility to make sure it can never happen again.”
For Graham, the mission strikes a personal note as well. “Lindsey fought hard to expose what happened and hold people accountable,” she added. “I intend to do the same.”
