Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley announced Wednesday that former Special Counsel Jack Smith and his team issued nearly 200 subpoenas as part of a wide-reaching federal investigation that he said targeted “the entire Republican apparatus.”

Speaking at a press conference on Capitol Hill, Grassley detailed new disclosures showing that the Department of Justice and the FBI used their authority to investigate Donald Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence, and multiple conservative organizations through an operation known as “Arctic Frost.”

According to internal DOJ and FBI documents first released earlier this year, the probe was launched in April 2022 and focused on Trump’s post-2020 election activities, including the alternate elector efforts in several battleground states.

Trump's Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

As part of the investigation, agents reportedly seized government-issued cell phones belonging to both Trump and Pence and conducted numerous interviews across the country.

Grassley said the newly obtained materials indicate that the operation extended far beyond those directly connected to the Trump campaign, reaching into conservative networks, donors, and affiliated organizations.

“I’ve obtained through legally protected whistleblower disclosures,” Grassley said, “197 subpoenas were issued by Jack Smith and his team. These subpoenas were issued to 34 individuals and 163 businesses, including financial institutions.”

Grassley said the subpoenas sought information and communications relating to more than 430 individuals and organizations, all tied in some way to Republican or conservative activity.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

The list reportedly includes entities such as Turning Point USA and the Republican Attorneys General Association.

Grassley identified former FBI agent Walter Giardina as one of the main points of contact named in many of the subpoenas.

“One subpoena to Apple sought records related to Trump and the ‘January 6th Prison Choir,’” Grassley said, referring to a group of inmates who were detained for their involvement in the Capitol breach.

“Some subpoenas to individuals and businesses sought statistical data and analysis relating to donors and fundraising efforts,” Grassley continued.

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

Grassley said the scale of the operation demonstrates that the special counsel’s team used investigative tools beyond what was justified by the stated purpose of the inquiry.

“If this had happened to Democrats, they’d be as rightly outraged as we are outraged,” Grassley said.

According to Grassley, the records show that the Department of Justice used taxpayer funding to execute the operation under the Biden-Harris administration, targeting political opponents under the pretext of an ongoing criminal investigation.

“Operation Arctic Frost” was one of several federal efforts that have drawn scrutiny from Republican lawmakers over concerns about the politicization of federal law enforcement.

In response to Grassley’s remarks, President Trump issued a statement on Wednesday calling for investigations into the officials involved in “Operation Arctic Frost” and related cases.

“Former FBI Agent Walter Giardina is a DIRTY COP! He should be, along with Deranged Jack Smith, the sinister team of Lisa Monaco and Andrew Weissmann, Liddle’ Jay Bratt, Norm Eisen and his FAKE Charity, CREW, Christopher Wray, Merrick Garland, Thomas Windom, who dreamt up the corrupt J-6 Witch Hunt, should be investigated, immediately,” Trump said.

“They are a disgrace to our Nation,” Trump added.

“Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

The Justice Department has not publicly commented on Grassley’s disclosures. Congressional aides said the Senate Judiciary Committee plans to request additional documents from the DOJ and FBI to determine whether political considerations influenced the scope of “Operation Arctic Frost.”

Grassley’s findings come amid a broader congressional review of past and ongoing Justice Department investigations involving political figures and campaigns.

Lawmakers are expected to question senior DOJ and FBI officials about the program’s authorization and oversight in upcoming hearings.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of DrewBerquist.com. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.