
Newly released whistleblower documents have exposed the involvement of a former FBI agent in initiating the investigation that later became Special Counsel Jack Smith’s case against President Donald Trump. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) released the records, which indicate that Timothy Thibault, a former FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge, played a key role in launching the probe despite lacking the authority to do so.
In my opening statement at Kash Patel’s hrg I revealed never b4 seen whistleblower records proving w/o a doubt that anti-Trump FBI agent Tim Thibault launched elector case 2target Trump Perfect example of FBI politicization FBI NEEDS CHANGE Kash Patel is the right person to do it
— Chuck Grassley (@ChuckGrassley) January 30, 2025
The investigation, codenamed “Arctic Frost,” was formally opened by the FBI on April 13, 2022. However, emails dating back to February of that year show Thibault crafting language that helped shape the case. One email reveals he sent a subordinate a draft outlining the investigation’s opening, while another indicates his push to add Trump as a target.
At the Kash Patel senate hearing, Senator Grassley releases previously unseen FBI emails referencing project “Arctic Frost,” proving the FBI’s efforts to prosecute Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/rKRt0Iq28X
— Timcast News (@TimcastNews) January 30, 2025
FBI policies require high-level authorization before a politically sensitive case can move forward, but the records suggest Thibault bypassed standard procedures. Additional documents show that by April, the FBI’s deputy director approved the case after Thibault had already taken steps to set it in motion.
https://twitter.com/15poundstogo/status/1885122385839304782
Richard Pilger, an official with the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section, also played a role in reviewing and approving the FBI’s investigation. Pilger has been previously scrutinized by Grassley for his involvement in past election-related probes, which the senator has argued were politically motivated.
During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for Kash Patel, Trump’s nominee for FBI Director, Grassley presented the documents as evidence of political bias within the FBI. He stated that the records show how partisan influences shaped federal investigations targeting Trump.
Grassley and Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) have now called for Jack Smith to retain all documents related to Arctic Frost, arguing that the FBI’s handling of the case warrants further examination.