
Newly released whistleblower documents suggest that a former FBI agent with known anti-Trump views played a major role in launching the investigation that led to the federal case against President Donald Trump. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) made the documents public, revealing that Timothy Thibault, a former FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge, drafted the case’s initial language and took unauthorized steps to push the investigation forward.
The case, labeled “Arctic Frost,” was officially opened on April 13, 2022. Internal emails show that Thibault not only helped initiate the investigation but also communicated with DOJ officials about adding Trump as a criminal subject. These documents indicate that Thibault acted beyond his authority, as only specific agents are permitted to open such investigations.
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
One of the released emails from February 2022 shows Thibault instructing an FBI subordinate, “Here is draft opening language we discussed.” Another email from April 2022 reveals that Thibault approved the Arctic Frost investigation before the necessary authorization process had been completed.
The documents also show that DOJ Public Integrity Section official Richard Pilger was involved in the case’s approval. Grassley, who had previously raised concerns about Pilger’s role in politically sensitive cases, has pointed to this as another example of bias within federal law enforcement.
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
During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for Kash Patel’s nomination as FBI Director, Grassley presented the records as evidence of politically motivated investigations. He accused the FBI and DOJ leadership of using their power to target Trump and manipulate federal law enforcement for partisan purposes.
https://twitter.com/15poundstogo/status/1885122385839304782
Grassley and Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) are now demanding that Jack Smith maintain all records related to Arctic Frost, stating that further scrutiny is necessary to understand the full extent of the investigation’s origins.