BREAKING NEWS:

October 6, 2025

Breaking: Grassley Accuses FBI of Spying on Eight GOP Senators During Arctic Frost Investigation

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 2025 – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley unleashed a bombshell accusation Monday, claiming that the FBI under the Biden administration spied on eight of his Republican colleagues as part of the Arctic Frost probe, the investigative foundation for former Special Counsel Jack Smith's high-profile work on election-related matters. The Iowa Republican released a newly unclassified FBI document from 2023 that he says reveals approved "toll analysis" targeting the lawmakers' communications.

In a post on X, Grassley declared, "This document shows the Biden FBI spied on 8 of my Republican Senate colleagues during its Arctic Frost investigation into 'election conspiracy.'" The revelation has ignited outrage among GOP senators, who argue it points to politically motivated surveillance and raises serious questions about the bureau's conduct during the probe into alleged election interference tied to former President Donald Trump.

The Arctic Frost investigation, an FBI code name for the inquiry into events surrounding the 2020 election and the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, served as the precursor to Smith's appointment as special counsel in November 2022. Smith's team later pursued charges against Trump related to election subversion and classified documents, cases that have since faced significant legal hurdles, including dismissals and Supreme Court interventions on presidential immunity.

Grassley's disclosure adds a new layer to ongoing Republican scrutiny of the FBI's role in what they describe as a weaponized justice system under Biden.

According to Grassley and fellow senators, the document was provided to them earlier in the day, prompting immediate alarm. "We have no idea why the bureau would have been interested in collecting toll information on us," Grassley stated in a follow-up interview, referring to phone toll records that track call metadata such as numbers dialed, durations, and times without capturing content. Toll analysis, often used in criminal investigations, requires court approval under the Stored Communications Act, but critics argue its application here smacks of overreach.

Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., one of the affected lawmakers, echoed Grassley's concerns in a blistering statement. "The only thing we all had in common was we were all Republicans," Hagerty said, lambasting the Biden administration for what he called an "orchestrated ordeal" that erodes trust in federal law enforcement. Hagerty, along with others, demanded an immediate congressional inquiry into the FBI's actions, suggesting it could rival the Watergate scandal in its implications for political spying.

The list of targeted senators, as detailed in reports emerging from the disclosure, includes prominent GOP figures such as Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, and others who were vocal supporters of Trump during the 2020 election challenges. Sources familiar with the document indicate that the toll analysis was part of a broader sweep that encompassed nearly 100 Republican-affiliated groups and individuals, including conservative organizations like Turning Point USA led by Charlie Kirk. This wider net, Grassley has previously alleged, demonstrates a pattern of partisan targeting by the FBI during the Biden era.

The timing of the release comes amid heightened tensions over FBI oversight. Just weeks ago, during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing with FBI Director Kash Patel, Grassley highlighted supervisory misconduct in the Arctic Frost probe, including the acquisition of Trump and Pence's cell phone records and sweeping interviews aimed at advancing an "anti-Trump" agenda. Patel, appointed by President Trump in his second term, has vowed to root out such abuses, prompting calls from Republican attorneys general for accountability.

Democrats and FBI defenders have pushed back, arguing that the Arctic Frost investigation was a legitimate response to threats against democratic processes. A spokesperson for the FBI declined to comment on the specific allegations, citing ongoing sensitivity around declassified materials, but emphasized that all surveillance adheres to strict legal protocols. However, whistleblower documents released by Grassley earlier this year painted a picture of internal misconduct, including biased handling of evidence and political motivations among supervisors.

Legal experts weigh in on the potential ramifications. "If proven, this could constitute a severe violation of congressional privileges and raise Fourth Amendment concerns," said Jonathan Turley, a constitutional law professor at George Washington University. Turley noted that while the FBI can seek toll records with a court order, targeting lawmakers based on political affiliation would cross ethical and legal lines, potentially inviting lawsuits or further probes.

The accusations build on a history of Republican grievances against the FBI, from the Crossfire Hurricane investigation into Russian election interference to the Mar-a-Lago raid. Grassley's persistent oversight, including joint efforts with Sen. Ron Johnson, has uncovered what they term the bureau's "dirty deeds," including unauthorized access to communications. In March, the duo released records showing FBI efforts to obtain Trump and Pence's phones, framing Arctic Frost as an extension of anti-Trump operations.

As the story develops, Senate Republicans are rallying for action. Sen. Lindsey Graham, reportedly one of the spied-upon, called for a special committee to investigate, comparing it to "Watergate on steroids." House Republicans, led by Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, have signaled support for parallel inquiries, potentially subpoenaing former FBI officials involved in Arctic Frost.

The White House has yet to respond directly, but Biden administration alumni have dismissed the claims as partisan theater. Former Attorney General Merrick Garland, under whom Smith operated, has previously defended the special counsel's independence.

This unfolding scandal could reshape debates on FBI reforms, especially with Patel at the helm pledging transparency. For now, Grassley's document drop has sent shockwaves through Capitol Hill, prompting questions about the extent of surveillance in a deeply divided political landscape.

As more details emerge, the implications for privacy, politics, and justice remain profound. Republicans argue this is evidence of a two-tiered system, while critics warn against undermining legitimate investigations. One thing is clear: the Arctic Frost revelations are far from over.