Congressman and Trump supporter Scott Perry says the FBI seized his cell phone. FBI

Scott Perry, Republican congressman donald trumpsaid federal agents seized his cell phone on Tuesday.

the news came the next day FBI A search warrant was executed at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla., as part of a criminal investigation into the mishandling of White House records. It wasn’t immediately clear.

The prominent House Republican from Pennsylvania, chairman of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, and one of Trump’s most ardent defenders on Capitol Hill, said in a statement earlier reported by Fox News: admitted that his phone had been stolen.

“This morning while traveling with my family, three FBI agents visited me and confiscated my cell phone. Then the lawyer would have arranged to get my phone,” Perry said. said in a statement.

“My cell phone contains information about my legislative and political activities and private/private discussions with my wife, family, voters, and friends. This is not a government job. .”

It’s not yet known why investigators searched Perry’s phone, but his communications may be linked to at least two investigations: an encrypted messaging app.

The Justice Department may also want to look into Perry’s phone. That’s because Perry and Trump share an attorney named John Lowry, the former president’s lead attorney who has been discussing executive privilege issues with the Justice Department in criminal investigations.