DOJ Returns Congressman Andy Ogles’ Seized Phone, Ending Two-Year Probe

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has agreed to return the personal cellphone seized from Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) in August 2024 and to destroy all information obtained from the device and the associated Google account. The decision was communicated to Ogles’ attorneys on April 5 2026 and marks the conclusion of the DOJ’s effort to examine the phone for evidence related to a campaign-finance investigation.

WZTV - NashvilleWBIR - Knoxville NewsJustice Department agrees to return Rep. Andy Ogles' phone, signaling end of campaign finance probe

Federal agents seized Ogles’ phone the day after he won the Republican primary for Tennessee’s 5th District, citing possible violations in his campaign-finance reporting. Ogles argued that the seizure infringed the Constitution’s Speech or Debate Clause, which shields legislators’ official communications from executive-branch review. He filed emergency motions in federal court seeking the phone’s return, while the DOJ’s criminal division, then led by Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Galeotti, had recommended continuing the probe despite the withdrawal of local Tennessee prosecutors.

WBIR - Knoxville News

• August 2024: FBI executes search warrant, confiscates Ogles’ phone and Google account.

WZTV - Nashville

• Late 2024–2025: Ogles files motions contesting the seizure; DOJ awaits a judicial ruling on whether investigators may review the data.

WZTV - Nashville

• July 2025: DOJ criminal division emails Tennessee prosecutors urging reconsideration of the case.

Justice Department agrees to return Rep. Andy Ogles' phone, signaling end of campaign finance probe

• April 5 2026: DOJ notifies Ogles’ counsel that the phone will be returned and all extracted data will be destroyed.

WBIR - Knoxville News

• Andy Ogles: Republican U.S. Representative from Tennessee, subject of the investigation.

Justice Department agrees to return Rep. Andy Ogles' phone, signaling end of campaign finance probe

• Department of Justice – Criminal Division: Led by Assistant Attorney General Tysen Duva at the time of the return decision.

Justice Department agrees to return Rep. Andy Ogles' phone, signaling end of campaign finance probe

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Executed the original seizure.

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• Litson PLL C: Law firm representing Ogles; attorneys include Alex Little, Zack Lawson, and John Ross Glover.

The Tennessean

• House Ethics Committee: Continues a separate inquiry into Ogles’ conduct.

Justice Department agrees to return Rep. Andy Ogles' phone, signaling end of campaign finance probe

• Ogles reported a $320,000 loan to his campaign committee in 2022.

Justice Department agrees to return Rep. Andy Ogles' phone, signaling end of campaign finance probe

• After amendment, the filing reflected a $20,000 loan, with Ogles stating the original figure was a mistakenly pledged amount.

Justice Department agrees to return Rep. Andy Ogles' phone, signaling end of campaign finance probe

The DOJ issued no detailed public explanation for the return, merely confirming the decision to destroy the seized data. Ogles’ legal team described the outcome as a vindication of his constitutional claim and noted that no criminal charges have been filed. The House Ethics Committee’s investigation remains open, focusing on separate alleged ethics violations.

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Observers have highlighted the DOJ’s broader scrutiny over investigations perceived as targeting political opponents, noting that the Ogles probe began under the Biden administration, persisted under the Trump administration, and stalled while awaiting judicial guidance. Critics argue that the prolonged seizure raised concerns about executive overreach into legislative communications.

Justice Department agrees to return Rep. Andy Ogles' phone, signaling end of campaign finance probe

• The DOJ has not clarified whether the underlying campaign-finance investigation continues after the phone’s return.

WZTV - Nashville

• No judge has ruled on the legality of reviewing Ogles’ communications, leaving the constitutional question unresolved.

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• “complete win for the responsible exercise of prosecutorial discretion and respect for the Constitution’s Separation of Powers.” — Andy Ogles, U.S. Representative

Justice Department agrees to return Rep. Andy Ogles' phone, signaling end of campaign finance probe

• “From the day the FBI showed up, I said this investigation should never have happened and that the Biden DOJ had no right to rummage through a sitting congressman’s legislative communications,” — Andy Ogles, U.S. Representative

Justice Department agrees to return Rep. Andy Ogles' phone, signaling end of campaign finance probe

• “Today the Justice Department has effectively acknowledged I was right.” — Andy Ogles, U.S. Representative

Justice Department agrees to return Rep. Andy Ogles' phone, signaling end of campaign finance probe

• “Congressman Ogles was right on the law from day one, but he had to fight for almost two years at great personal and financial expense to prove it.” — Alex Little, Attorney, Litson PLL C

The Tennessean

• “I’m grateful to the Trump Justice Department for righting this wrong and to my legal team for fighting for me every step of the way.” — Andy Ogles, U.S. Representative

WBIR - Knoxville News

The House Ethics Committee’s inquiry proceeds independently of the DOJ’s decision. Future actions may include additional DOJ review of campaign-finance filings, but no public indication has been provided. Ogles is expected to resume his congressional duties while the ethical investigation unfolds.

Justice Department agrees to return Rep. Andy Ogles' phone, signaling end of campaign finance probe