FBI Sought Records of Over 400 Republican Entities in Biden-Era Probe, Documents Show

Special Counsel Jack Smith issued 197 subpoenas to 34 individuals and 163 businesses as part of the FBI’s Arctic Frost probe, according to disclosures released by the Republican-led Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

The Details: The disclosures were reportedly provided to Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) by a whistleblower. According to the disclosures, the FBI sought to obtain testimonies, records, and communications of at least 430 Republican individuals and entities. Those subpoenaed included major banks, tech companies, political action committees (PACs), and political operatives. 

Requested Documents: Communications and records requested involved many major media outlets, including Fox News (Right bias), Fox Business (Lean Right), Newsmax (Right bias), One America News Network (Right), and Sinclair Media. Notable Trump allies whose communications were requested included Jared Kushner, Lara Trump, Stephen Miller, and the Republican National Committee.

For Context: The Arctic Frost probe began with the FBI but was reportedly accelerated by Smith, who was appointed by the Biden administration’s Attorney General Merrick Garland. Smith investigated Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his handling of classified documents.

How The Media Covered It: The release of the information was very widely covered by the right and very scantly by the left. AllSides did not find coverage from the center. From the left, AllSides only found coverage from Mediaite (Lean Left) and Axios (Lean Left). Mediaite published the headline, “Trump Lashes Out at Jan. 6 Prober Jack Smith in New Rant — Demands He Be Thrown in ‘Prison.’” Axios was careful with its headline, saying the probe “potentially investigated” those listed in the disclosures.

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