Jordan demands Justice inspector general answer about role in seizing Rep. Perry's phone

Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan is demanding an explanation from the Justice Department's Office of Inspector General about why the oversight office allegedly helped the department seize the personal cellphone of fellow GOP Rep. Scott Perry. 

Jordan, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, told Inspector General Michael Horowitz in a letter Monday that his office helping the department seize the phone is "extremely troubling" and "inconsistent" with its oversight responsibilities.

FBI agents seized Perry's phone Aug. 9 while he was on a family vacation. The Pennsylvania lawmaker then sued the Justice Department to stop the agency's inspector general, which is allegedly leading the probe, from accessing his phone's contents. 

It's unclear why the federal government wants the phone – taken a day after the FBI raided former President Trump's Florida residence. But Perry is reportedly a person of interest in the Democrat-led House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

Jordan said in his letter that he has been a vocal supporter of the inspector general's office but "the decision to assist the FBI in this politically charged matter demands a full and complete explanation about your unusual actions."

He also said the inspector general's action "creates a serious conflict of interest" at least in part because its role should also be to review the FBI's decision to seize Perry's phone.