Republicans claim Biden admin targeted conservative 'enemies' under secret 'Arctic Frost' probe

WASHINGTON, DC: Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley on Wednesday, October 29, released 197 subpoenas that he said were issued by Special Counsel Jack Smith’s team.

He alleged that the FBI under the Biden administration sought records related to Republicans and conservative organizations as part of the 'Arctic Frost' probe, a precursor to former special counsel Jack Smith’s election probe.

"Arctic Frost was the vehicle by which partisan FBI agents and DOJ prosecutors could improperly investigate the entire Republican political apparatus," he said. 

Ron Johnson says it's an 'enemies list'

"197 subpoenas were issued by Jack Smith and his team. These subpoenas were issued to 34 individuals and 163 businesses, including financial institutions," Grassley alleged at a Capitol Hill press conference.

“Contrary to what Smith has said publicly, this was clearly a fishing expedition,” he added.

Grassley alleged that the subpoenas, which included confidential grand jury material obtained through whistleblowers, showed that the probe sought testimony, documents, and communications from hundreds of Republican individuals.

Standing beside Grassley, Sen Ron Johnson called the subpoenas “nothing short of a Biden administration enemies list.”

The materials reportedly sought financial records from conservative organizations and communications with members and aides of Congress.

Johnson argued that the investigation blurred the line between legitimate law enforcement and political targeting.

Grassley has spent months releasing batches of documents tied to 'Arctic Frost'.

He alleged that the probe lacked proper justification and was used to politically damage Republicans before and after the 2020 election.

Ted Cruz claims his phone records were targeted

Sen Ted Cruz alleged that subpoenas tied to 'Arctic Frost' included requests for eight Republican senators’ phone metadata, including his own.

The records reportedly did not include call content but detailed who they contacted and when.

Cruz also remarked that his carrier, AT&T, resisted complying with the government request and was barred by a federal judge from informing him about it for at least a year.

“We are going to get the answers of every person who signed off on this abuse of power,” Cruz declared. “And mark my words, there will be accountability.”

Jack Smith’s team offers to testify publicly

Responding to the revelations, Lenny Breuer, attorney for former special counsel Jack Smith, said Smith stands by his work and is willing to testify publicly before Congress.

“Jack is happy to discuss his work as Special Counsel and answer any questions at a public hearing just like every other Special Counsel investigating a president has done,” Breuer told Fox News Digital, adding that Smith wants a public forum so Americans can hear directly from him.

Grassley said that he is not yet ready for a public hearing and will continue seeking additional information from Smith’s team and the Justice Department before moving forward.

Smith brought federal charges against Donald Trump in 2023. But after Trump’s 2024 election victory, Smith reportedly dismissed the case, citing Justice Department policy against prosecuting a sitting president.