Trey Gowdy on Arctic Frost Probe: What Crime Was Investigated?

The Arctic Frost Investigation

• 🔍 Senator Chuck Grassley is providing new details on the Arctic Frost probe, which involved the Biden era FBI investigating over 160 Republicans.
• 🎯 This probe targeted current and former Trump administration officials, including members of Congress, as part of Jack Smith's January 6th investigation.

Questions for the FBI

• ❓ Trey Gowdy questions the fundamental premise of the investigation, asking FBI Director Ray: "What crime were you investigating?"
• 💡 Gowdy argues that investigating members of Congress, who have duties like certifying electoral college votes, requires a clear underlying crime, not just a desire to track phone records.
• ⚠️ He points out the apparent double standard, noting that Democrats have historically objected to slates of electors without facing FBI investigations.

Targeting Republicans

• 📌 The investigation, referred to as Arctic Frost, tracked GOP lawmakers including Lindsey Graham, Ron Johnson, Josh Hawley, Cynthia Lumis, Bill Hagerty, and Marsha Blackburn.
• 📱 Jack Smith's team received metadata from the phones of eight Republican senators and one House member, potentially revealing their calls and texts.
• 🎯 More than 90 conservative groups, including Turning Point USA, were also reportedly targeted in this probe.

Calls for Transparency

• 🗣️ Jim Jordan's questions to Jack Smith, asking if the operation was political against President Trump and how many members of Congress were spied on, are highlighted.
• 🏛️ Gowdy emphasizes that these crucial questions should be answered in a transcribed deposition, not a televised congressional hearing, to ensure facts are obtained.
• ⚖️ He asserts that FBI Director Chris Wray, along with Merrick Garland and Elisa Monaco, must explain the suspected crimes of sitting senators and House members.

Upcoming Update

• 🗓️ An update on the Arctic Frost investigation from Grassley and Johnson is expected from the Senate Judiciary Committee at 2:45 PM Eastern Time.