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Tag: Biden’s DOJ
January 22, 2026
William Upton
Lawfare

Jack Smith Said He Expects to Be Indicted at Nightmare Hearing. Here’s What Happened:

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Former Biden government special counsel Jack Smith publicly testified before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday regarding his politically motivated investigations and prosecutions of President Donald J. Trump.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Former special counsel Jack Smith; Representatives Brandon Gill (R-TX), Darrell Issa (R-CA), and Tom Tiffany (R-WI); House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The hearing was held on Capitol Hill on Thursday, January 22, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: ” Mr. Smith, at the time you secured those nondisclosure orders, was Speaker McCarthy a flight risk?” — Rep. Brandon Gill

🎯IMPACT: The hearing is being billed by House Republicans as an essential step in transparency—and possible criminal charges—surrounding Smith and the former Biden government’s Arctic Frost investigation

IN FULL

Former Biden government special counsel Jack Smith publicly testified before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday regarding his politically motivated investigations and prosecutions of President Donald J. Trump. Among the more explosive moments from the hearing were exchanges between Smith and Representatives Brandon Gill (R-TX) and Darrell Issa (R-CA) regarding the former special counsel’s methods in subpoenaing the phone toll records of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). In addition, Smith admitted he expects to be indicted by President Trump’s Department of Justice (DOJ).

The National Pulse reported last November that Smith, as part of the Biden government’s Arctic Frost probe targeting President Trump, requested the personal cellphone records of then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and then-Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) during his probe into the January 6, 2021, Capitol protests. On May 25, 2023, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal Investigative Division prepared a “Significant Case Notification” outlining Smith’s subpoena for toll records from AT&T and Verizon.

On Thursday, Rep. Darrell Issa revealed that the subpoena request submitted to a federal judge never actually named the individual for whom Smith was seeking the toll records. “Did you—whether you think it was legal or not, whether you think it was right or not—did you withhold the name of Kevin McCarthy, Speaker of the House, when you were seeking records on Kevin McCarthy, the Speaker of the House, or Jim Jordan, the Chairman of this committee?” Issa pressed, with Smith responding, “We did not provide that information to the judge when we requested a nondisclosure order, consistent with the law and consistent with department policy at the time.”


Moments later, Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) returned to Smith’s subpoena of McCarthy’s toll records and the nondisclosure order preventing AT&T and Verizon from notifying the former House Speaker that his records were to be given to the special counsel. “How many days after Kevin McCarthy was sworn in as Speaker did you subpoena his records?” Rep. Gill asked, with Smith stammering that he did not recall but insisting that the two events were unrelated. The Texas Congressman noted that the request was made just 16 days after McCarthy was handed the Speaker’s gavel.

Rep. Gill continued, pressing Smith on whether he had ever considered that the subpoena might violate the Speech and Debate Clause, to which the former special counsel never gave a firm answer. Notably, the Biden DOJ’s Public Integrity Unit raised concerns about the legality of actions taken during Arctic Frost, both before and after Smith assumed control of the investigation—including potential litigation over the toll record subpoenas.

Typically, the nondisclosure orders sought and secured by Smith are only issued in investigations where the subject is considered a flight risk, a point not lost on Rep. Gill. “Mr. Smith, at the time you secured those nondisclosure orders, was Speaker McCarthy a flight risk?” the Texas lawmaker asked, with a frazzled Smith attempting obfuscate but eventually acknowledging that the sitting Speaker of the House at the time was not a flight risk.


As the several-hour-long hearing progressed, Smith’s prosecutorial record—which Democrats on the Judiciary Committee repeatedly claimed was the “Gold Standard”—was exposed as anything but by Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) in what was likely one of the most embarrassing moments for the former special counsel. “You prosecuted Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, you prosecuted him, correct?” Tiffany asked. Smith waffled, claiming he was only part of the prosecution, despite numerous public descriptions of him as the leading force behind the indictment and temporary conviction of the former governor. McDonnell’s conviction was ultimately overturned in a unanimous decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, with several justices excoriating Smith and his team for overcharging.

Rep. Tiffany went on to note Smith’s other high-profile prosecutions, including cases against former Senators John Edwards (D-NC) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), both of which ended in mistrials. Smith acknowledged his role as the prosecutor in the Edwards case, but insisted that the mistrial against Menendez was not his fault since he had left the DOJ’s Public Integrity Unit and the prosecution before the mistrial was declared. Unrelated charges saw Menendez convicted of bribery and acting as an unregistered foreign agent, for which sentenced last year.


The hearing is being billed by House Republicans as an essential step in transparency—and possible criminal charges—surrounding Smith and the former Biden government’s Arctic Frost investigation. Whistleblower documents obtained by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) show that Arctic Frost targeted not only President Trump but also over 430 individuals and organizations, including prominent conservative entities such as the late Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA (TPUSA) and the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA). Taken on its face, the probe appears to have been a sprawling conspiracy to interfere in the American election process and cripple the Republican Party’s ability to compete at the ballot box.

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December 16, 2025
Lawfare
Politics

FBI Emails Show Biden DOJ Lacked Probable Cause in Trump Mar-a-Lago Raid.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Emails are set to be turned over to Congress showing the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warned the Biden Department of Justice (DOJ) that it lacked probable cause to raid President Donald J. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, but prosecutors proceeded anyway.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Attorney General Pam Bondi, current FBI Director Kash Patel, former Biden government special counsel Jack Smith, House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), and President Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The emails are to be turned over to the Senate and House Judiciary Committees as early as Tuesday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The Committee on the Judiciary is continuing to conduct oversight of the operations of the Office of Special Counsel you led—specifically, your team’s prosecutions of President Donald J. Trump and his co-defendants.” – Chairman Jim Jordan.

🎯IMPACT: The revelations further highlight concerns of political weaponization within the DOJ under the former Biden government, particularly with regard to actions against Trump ahead of the 2024 election.

IN FULL

Email communications from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) sent to the former Biden government’s Department of Justice (DOJ) warning that it lacked probable cause to execute the August 8, 2022, raid of President Donald J. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence are set to be turned over to congressional investigators. Reports indicate that Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, as soon as Tuesday, will provide the Biden-era emails to the Senate and House Judiciary committees—ahead of a Wednesday deposition of former Biden DOJ special counsel Jack Smith.

The emails detail the FBI’s legal objections to the raid, though Biden DOJ prosecutors decided to proceed regardless. Before the raid, in which the use of deadly force was authorized, the FBI’s Washington field office warned federal prosecutors that it “does not believe they established probable cause” to execute the warrant.

Notably, the raid became a significant inflection point just before the 2024 election and subsequently led to two federal indictments against President Trump. Jack Smith took over the FBI’s classified documents case several months after the Mar-a-Lago raid, ramping up Democrat lawfare efforts against the Republican nominee. Both indictments were ultimately dismissed.

Smith is set to be deposed on Wednesday in a closed-door session by the House Judiciary Committee. Congressional investigators are probing the Biden DOJ’s prosecutions of President Trump and Smith’s actions in the Arctic Frost scandal.

“The Committee on the Judiciary is continuing to conduct oversight of the operations of the Office of Special Counsel you led—specifically, your team’s prosecutions of President Donald J. Trump and his co-defendants,” House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) wrote in the letter accompanying the subpoena sent to Smith two weeks ago. Peter Koski, a lawyer representing Smith, indicated that he would comply with the subpoena.

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December 5, 2025
News

FBI Director: Biden Govt ‘Incompetent’ and ‘Negligent’ in Pipe Bomb Case.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel criticized the former Biden government’s handling of the investigation into the January 5, 2021, pipe bomb suspect, accusing the prior administration of neglecting evidence for years.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Kash Patel, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI agents, and suspect Brian Cole Jr.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The investigation was revived recently, leading to an arrest in northern Virginia on Thursday. The suspect is tied to events near the U.S. Capitol on January 5-6, 2021.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This guy… planted bombs at the United States Capitol on camera. And the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the prior four years couldn’t find him. Completely unacceptable.” – Kash Patel

🎯IMPACT: The case’s revival led to the identification and arrest of a suspect, with further charges expected, highlighting significant investigative efforts by the FBI and Department of Justice (DOJ).

IN FULL

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel on Thursday criticized the former Biden government for its handling of the investigation into the pipe bombs planted near the U.S. Capitol on January 5, 2021. Patel accused the prior Democrat administration of having ignored key evidence in its possession for four years.

“We went back and looked at the cellphone tower data dumps. We went back and looked at the providers and what information they provided pursuant to search warrants at the time and asked questions such as why weren’t all the phone numbers scrubbed, why aren’t they connected, and why wasn’t there any geolocational data done?” Patel said during a television appearance late Thursday. “That is either sheer incompetence or complete intentional negligence—and neither of which is acceptable for this FBI.”

The comments came after the FBI arrested Brian Cole Jr. of Woodbridge, Virginia, for allegedly planting two pipe bombs near the Republican and Democratic National Committees’ headquarters on the evening of January 5, 2021. Patel emphasized the importance of basic law enforcement techniques, such as analyzing tips, interviews, and evidence, including the suspect’s unique Nike sneakers.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi echoed Patel’s criticism on Friday, stating, “This case languished. It sat there for four years collecting dust. No one did anything to solve this. Both bombs were real… and thankfully they didn’t detonate.” Bondi credited Patel and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino for reviving the investigation and keeping it confidential until an arrest was made.

Cole has been charged with the use of an explosive device, with more charges expected.

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December 3, 2025
William Upton
Lawfare

Top Federal Court Official Defends Boasberg in Arctic Frost Scandal.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A top federal court official defended U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg’s gag orders that concealed subpoenas targeting members of Congress during Biden Department of Justice (DOJ) special prosecutor Jack Smith’s Arctic Frost investigation.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Judge James Boasberg, Special Counsel Jack Smith, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH), and the Biden DOJ.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Subpoenas were issued in 2023 during the Arctic Frost investigation, with responses continuing into 2024.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Smith’s apparent lack of candor is deeply troubling, and he needs to answer for his conduct.” – Sen. Grassley

🎯IMPACT: The subpoenas and gag orders have sparked criticism, raising concerns over judicial transparency, constitutional protections, and alleged partisan targeting.

IN FULL

The director of the administrative office for the federal courts has stepped in to defend U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg over the latter’s signing of gag orders, which concealed subpoenas targeting members of Congress during the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Special Counsel Jack Smith‘s Arctic Frost investigation. Robert Conrad Jr., the administrative office’s director, claimed the chief judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia often blindly signed gag order requests if they came directly from the Department of Justice (DOJ).

In a letter from Conrad Jr. to Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), the administrative office’s director revealed that DOJ subpoena requests typically lack identifying details of the subject. He argued that Boasberg would not have known who the targets were. It is unclear if this same set of circumstances applies to U.S. District Court Judge Beryl Howell as well. The latter also approved a number of Jack Smith’s Arctic Frost subpoenas targeting Republican lawmakers.

Grassley, alongside Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), had demanded an explanation from Boasberg regarding the one-year gag orders that prevented phone companies from informing Republican lawmakers their records had been subpoenaed in 2023 by Smith. Conrad Jr. claimed that he could not address specific subpoenas and gag orders due to sealed materials, but provided insight into the general practices during Arctic Frost.

Grassley criticized the Biden DOJ for failing to notify Boasberg that the subpoenas targeted lawmakers, stating, “Smith went ahead with the congressional subpoenas anyway, and it appears he and his team didn’t apprise the court of member involvement.” Grassley noted that the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section had advised Smith to consider constitutional protections for lawmakers, but that Smith proceeded regardless.

Sen. Johnson expressed dissatisfaction with Boasberg’s response, calling it “an affront to transparency” and demanding that the judge lift the seal on the case and provide a full explanation. The National Pulse reported in late October that Smith’s Arctic Frost investigation was recklessly expanded with 197 subpoenas targeting 430 Republican-aligned groups and individuals having been issued. An examination of the subpoena targets suggests that Smith was looking to create a RICO case against a large part of the Republican Party’s election network, effectively hampering its ability to run candidates in the 2024 and future elections.

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November 21, 2025
Lawfare

Jim Jordan Accuses Biden DOJ of Seizing Over Two Years of His Phone Records.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Biden-era Justice Department subpoenaed two years of phone records belonging to House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan as part of the “Arctic Frost” investigation.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, the Justice Department, Verizon, and federal Judge David Baker.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The subpoena covered phone records from January 2020 to April 2022 and was issued prior to special counsel Jack Smith’s involvement in the investigation.

💬KEY QUOTE: “If they can do it to us, they can do it to you.” – Jim Jordan

🎯IMPACT: The subpoena raises concerns about government overreach, transparency, and the targeting of elected officials.

IN FULL

New revelations indicate that House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) was also targeted by the former Biden government’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the Arctic Frost scandal. Phone records obtained by the agency from Verizon contained the details of calls, texts, and voicemail messages from January 2020 until April 2022—though the FBI was not granted the content of the communications themselves.

Chairman Jordan revealed the previously unknown subpoena in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “They spied on President Trump. They spied on Senators. Now, we just learned, they spied on me. If they can do it to us, they can do it to you.” Images of the subpoena were shared alongside his post.

Like the other telecommunications subpoenas issued later by special counsel Jack Smith, the seizure of Representative Jordan’s phone records was also ordered to remain under a gag order by a federal judge. The National Pulse has previously reported that U.S. District Court Judges James Boasberg and Beryl Howell were the primary go-to judges for Smith to obtain the gag orders.

However, in the instance of Jordan, it was a federal magistrate judge in Florida, David Baker, who issued the gag order. “The Court finds reasonable grounds to believe that such disclosure will result in flight from prosecution, destruction of or tampering with evidence, intimidation of potential witnesses, and serious jeopardy to the investigation,” Baker wrote. He also ordered Verizon employees not to disclose the subpoena’s existence for one year, except to their attorneys for legal advice.

A Verizon spokesman, Rich Young, responded to the revelations, stating, “As part of our investigation, we uncovered new information regarding Chairman Jordan and shared it with him as soon as possible. We are committed to restoring trust through transparency and will continue to work with Congress and the administration as they examine these issues and consider reforms to expand notification protections.”

Notably, the subpoena was issued before special counsel Jack Smith took over the investigation, which later led to charges against President Donald J. Trump. Other reports revealed that the FBI analyzed phone metadata from several Republican lawmakers, including Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Josh Hawley (R-MO).

Image by Steve Fernie.

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November 10, 2025
Lawfare

State AG Probes JPMorgan Chase for Colluding With ‘Arctic Frost’ Witch Hunt.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Biden Department of Justice (DOJ) subpoenaed JPMorgan Chase (JPMC) for “any and all records of TMTG,” as part of an operation codenamed ‘Arctic Frost,’ prompting an investigation by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier (R).

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, JPMorgan Chase, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), and the Biden DOJ.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The investigation stems from events surrounding a TMTG merger in March 2024; the subpoena activity was recently revealed in Florida.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The timing of this activity and JPMC’s termination of its business relationships with TMTG raise obvious, troubling questions.” – James Uthmeier

🎯IMPACT: Florida’s attorney general has launched an investigation into potential violations of state laws, including anti-fraud and de-banking prohibitions.

IN FULL

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier (R) is investigating JPMorgan Chase (JPMC) over its involvement with the former Biden government’s ‘Arctic Frost‘ scandal. This investigation follows revelations that the former Biden Department of Justice (DOJ) subpoenaed JPMC for “any and all records of TMTG,” [Trump Media & Technology Group] including records predating the company’s formation.

In a letter to JPMC, Uthmeier expressed “grave concerns” about the Biden government’s actions, which he described as targeting political adversaries. He highlighted that JPMC began questioning TMTG officials about past transactions shortly after the Biden DOJ’s subpoena, under the guise of “due diligence.” The letter also noted that JPMC subsequently terminated its banking relationship with TMTG immediately after the company closed a merger in March 2024.

Uthmeier remarked, “The timing of this activity and JPMC’s termination of its business relationships with TMTG raise obvious, troubling questions. This activity may implicate numerous Florida criminal and civil anti-fraud laws and de-banking prohibitions, as well as a breach of the basic, fundamental duties owed to your banking customers.”

The Florida attorney general has directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution and Enforcement Division to investigate the matter further. JPMC has been asked to preserve all records related to its interactions with TMTG. JPMC recently informed shareholders it is “responding to requests from government authorities and other external parties” about its policies and customer services, which appears to reference debanking concerns.

JPMC has previously supported an executive order signed by President Donald J. Trump, which called for regulators to investigate politicized or unlawful debanking practices by financial institutions.

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November 3, 2025
News
Politics

Watchdog Urges DHS to Cut Ties with Microsoft for Hiring ‘Arctic Frost’ Lawyer.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A watchdog group has called on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to review its contracts with Microsoft due to concerns over the hiring of former Biden government lawyer Lisa Monaco, a central figure in the Arctic Frost scandal.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Center to Advance Security in America (CASA), Microsoft, Lisa Monaco, the Department of Homeland Security, Jack Smith, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The concerns were raised following Monaco’s appointment earlier this year as Microsoft’s President of Global Affairs, with CASA’s letter sent on October 31 during the ongoing fallout of the Arctic Frost probe.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Monaco has been shockingly hired as the President of Global Affairs for Microsoft, in a very senior role with access to Highly Sensitive Information. Monaco’s having that kind of access is unacceptable, and cannot be allowed to stand.” — President Trump

🎯IMPACT: The letter has intensified scrutiny of Monaco’s role at Microsoft and her access to sensitive government information, with calls for DHS to investigate and potentially terminate contracts with the tech giant.

IN FULL

The Center to Advance Security in America (CASA) is urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to review its contracts with Microsoft after the company hired Lisa Monaco, a former Biden government Department of Justice (DOJ) official, as its President of Global Affairs. Monaco was a central figure in the Arctic Frost scandal, which saw former special counsel Jack Smith abuse Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) resources to collect the phone records of Republican lawmakers, as well as over 430 Republican campaign operatives, leaders, and organizations. The National Pulse previously reported that Monaco—along with former Attorney General Merrick Garland and former FBI Director Christoper Wray—provided the initial approval for Arctic Frost.

CASA’s letter to DHS contends Monaco’s position poses a national security risk, citing her access to sensitive information shared between Microsoft and the federal government. “The risk that Monaco could again use access to information contained in Department contracts to turn against her political opponents, or even those Microsoft users within the government with whom she disagrees, is great given her past outrageous behavior,” CASA Director James Fitzpatrick wrote, pushing DHS to investigate Microsoft’s contracts and consider their termination.

“Given Lisa Monaco’s leadership role in weaponizing the Biden Department of Justice against its political enemies, as evidenced in the recently released documents detailing ‘Arctic Frost’, it is wholly inappropriate and a risk to national security for Monaco to have any role whatsoever in the oversight of DHS contracts at Microsoft,” Fitzpatrick said separately in a statement.

President Donald J. Trump has also weighed in on the matter, writing in a post on Truth Social, “Monaco has been shockingly hired as the President of Global Affairs for Microsoft, in a very senior role with access to Highly Sensitive Information. Monaco’s having that kind of access is unacceptable, and cannot be allowed to stand. She is a menace to U.S. National Security, especially given the major contracts that Microsoft has with the United States Government.” Trump previously rescinded Monaco’s security clearance in March, citing similar concerns.

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October 31, 2025
William Upton
Corruption
Lawfare

Republicans Move to Impeach Judge Boasberg for Enabling Jack Smith’s Arctic Frost Scandal.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Newly released Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) files revealed that former Special Counsel Jack Smith issued nearly 200 subpoenas targeting Republican organizations, officials, and donors as part of a Justice Department investigation under the Biden government.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Former Special Counsel Jack Smith, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), U.S. District Court Chief Judge James Boasberg, and Republican organizations, including Turning Point USA (TPUSA) and the Republican Attorneys General Association.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The subpoenas were issued during Smith’s “Arctic Frost” probe; FBI files were made public on Wednesday through Sen. Grassley’s office.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Politically motivated conduct,” said Jim Jordan in his letter demanding Smith testify before Congress.

🎯IMPACT: Congressional Republicans have called for investigations and the impeachment of Judge Boasberg, citing concerns of abuse of investigative power under the Biden Justice Department.

IN FULL

Republican lawmakers in the House of Representatives are now working to pursue the impeachment of U.S. District Court Chief Judge James Boasberg, who—along with his colleague U.S. District Court Judge Beryl Howell—issued non-disclosure orders preventing public knowledge of nearly 200 subpoenas targeting Republican organizations, officials, and donors filed by former Special Counsel Jack Smith. Late Thursday evening, Representative Brandon Gill (R-TX) announced he is drafting articles of impeachment against Boasberg. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), likewise, signalled he would pursue impeachment. It is unclear whether Judge Howell will also face impeachment.

The National Pulse reported on Wednesday that Jack Smith issued 197 subpoenas targeting over 430 Republican groups and individuals as part of the Arctic Frost probe. Senator. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) described the investigation as a “fishing expedition” aimed at improperly scrutinizing the Republican political apparatus. Among the subpoenas were requests for telecom carriers to provide Smith’s team with cellular data for around a dozen Republican lawmakers, with Boasberg and Howell’s orders preventing the companies from disclosing the requests.

“Radical activist judge James Boasberg continues to weaponize his judicial authority and target his political opponents,” Rep. Gill said in a statement. “Judge Boasberg facilitated the egregious Arctic Frost scandal, where he equipped the Biden DOJ to spy on Republican senators. His lack of integrity makes him clearly unfit for the gavel.” Boasberg, appointed by former President Barack Obama and now serving as chief judge in Washington, D.C., has faced prior criticism for rulings that impacted Trump administration policies.

Troublingly, under the guise of investigating the alleged involvement of President Trump and several Republican lawmakers in January 6, Jack Smith—enabled by judges Boasberg and Howell—appears to have, in reality, laid the groundwork for an unprecedented, weaponized, and partisan criminal probe aimed at crippling the Republican Party. Financial institutions and political vendors for Trump-aligned PACs were targeted with subpoenas, suggesting that Smith sought to establish monetary links between hundreds of consulting firms, advisors, and nonprofits that he could subsequently prosecute—presumably under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act—if he had secured a conviction against Trump.

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October 29, 2025
Lawfare

Jack Smith Targeted Over 430 GOP Leaders in FBI ‘Fishing Expedition,’ Sen. Grassley Reveals.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) released Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) files revealing that over 430 Republican groups and individuals were targeted by subpoenas in the Arctic Frost probe.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Sen. Grassley, special counsel Jack Smith, and other GOP senators.

📍WHEN & WHERE: October 29, 2025; Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Contrary to what Smith has said publicly, this was a fishing expedition.” – Sen. Grassley

🎯IMPACT: The probe has drawn criticism for targeting Republican entities and individuals, raising further questions as to the extent of the former Biden government’s lawfare campaign against President Donald J. Trump and his allies.

IN FULL

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) announced on Wednesday the release of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) files showing that special counsel Jack Smith issued 197 subpoenas targeting Republican groups and individuals as part of the Arctic Frost probe. Grassley described the investigation as a “fishing expedition” aimed at improperly scrutinizing the Republican political apparatus.

“I’ve obtained through legally protected whistleblower disclosures,” Grassley stated during a press conference with other Republican senators. “197 subpoenas were issued by Jack Smith and his team. These subpoenas were issued to 34 individuals and 163 businesses, including financial institutions.”

Grassley further noted that the subpoenas sought records and communications involving over 430 individuals and organizations, including prominent conservative entities such as Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA (TPUSA) and the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA). The investigation also involved a subpoena related to communications with media companies like CBS, Fox News, Newsmax, and Sinclair.

“Arctic Frost was the vehicle by which partisan FBI agents and DOJ prosecutors could improperly investigate the entire Republican political apparatus. Some subpoenas to individuals and businesses sought statistical data and analysis relating to donors and fundraising efforts,” Grassley said, emphasizing the broad scope of the investigation. He added: “Contrary to what Smith has said publicly, this was a fishing expedition.”

The Arctic Frost probe ultimately resulted in a four-count indictment against President Donald J. Trump concerning efforts to contest the 2020 election. Grassley previously revealed that the investigation also targeted phone metadata from at least nine Republican lawmakers.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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October 23, 2025
Lawfare

Garland and Wray Authorized Arctic Frost Investigation Targeting Trump, GOP Senators.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) released a Biden government memo showing approval of the Arctic Frost investigation by former Attorney General Merrick Garland and former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Merrick Garland, Christopher Wray, and Chuck Grassley.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Document released Thursday; investigation tied to Biden government actions.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Proof that Biden Atty General Merrick Garland, Deputy Atty General Lisa Monaco, [and] FBI Dir Chris Wray all PERSONALLY APPROVED opening Arctic Frost.” – Chuck Grassley

🎯IMPACT: The DOJ memo conclusively shows top government officials authorized the Arctic Frost investigation, largely seen as a troubling weaponization of the justice system by the former Biden government against its political opponents.

IN FULL

Senator Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has released a memo from the former Biden Department of Justice (DOJ) conclusively showing that former Attorney General Merrick Garland, former Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, and former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray all approved opening the Arctic Frost investigation. The disclosure comes after the current FBI Director, Kash Patel, revealed that former Special Counsel Jack Smith, under the auspices of Artic Frost, tracked the private communications and phone records of at least twelve Republican Senators as part of his investigation into the January 6 Capitol riots.

“Just received this doc [from the] DOJ,” Grassley wrote in a post on X (former Twitter) on Thursday, adding: “Proof that Biden Atty General Merrick Garland, Deputy Atty General Lisa Monaco, [and] FBI Dir Chris Wray all PERSONALLY APPROVED opening Arctic Frost. This investigation unleashed unchecked govt power at the highest levels. My oversight will continue.”

The FBI investigation served as the impetus for former Special Counsel Jack Smith‘s false elector prosecution of President Donald J. Trump, as well as other Biden government lawfare efforts against the America First leader. Grassley stated that the document, which contained handwritten signatures from Garland, Wray, and Monaco, was provided by the DOJ as part of his oversight authority.

Earlier this month, The National Pulse reported that Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) is demanding the DOJ appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the misuse of FBI resources by Smith and others in the former Biden government to spy on Republican lawmakers and everyday Americans. Hawley was among the lawmakers whose calls were tracked under Arctic Frost.

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