Whistleblower Records Show Anti-Trump FBI Agent Orchestrated Jack Smith’s 2020 Case
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has released whistleblower documents showing that a former FBI agent with known anti-Trump views played a key role in launching the federal investigation into President Donald Trump’s alleged election interference. The records reveal that former FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Timothy Thibault, who was later fired for violating the Hatch Act, helped craft the foundation for what eventually became Special Counsel Jack Smith’s prosecution.
The investigation, codenamed “Arctic Frost,” was formally opened on April 13, 2022. Whistleblower disclosures indicate Thibault not only initiated the case but also exceeded his authority by taking investigative steps that were not within his role. Internal FBI emails show he drafted the initial language for the probe and communicated with prosecutors about adding Trump as a criminal subject.
Records also show that Richard Pilger, a DOJ official from the Public Integrity Section, approved the FBI’s push to escalate the case. Pilger, who has a history of involvement in politically sensitive investigations, authorized a full-scale criminal probe and grand jury proceedings. Grassley had previously flagged concerns about Pilger’s DOJ record, noting his role in past cases with political implications.
During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for Trump’s FBI Director nominee Kash Patel, Grassley pointed to the FBI’s political bias as a threat to public trust. “Partisan FBI agents and DOJ officials orchestrated a political scheme to take down Trump,” he said. Grassley also warned that Justice Department leadership had worked in tandem to push forward politically motivated cases against Trump.
The whistleblower records include internal emails showing how Thibault communicated with FBI officials and DOJ prosecutors, seeking approval to move forward with Trump’s inclusion in the investigation. In one message, a subordinate informed Thibault that Trump had been added as a subject. Thibault’s response: “Perfect.”
Grassley and Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) have called on Jack Smith to preserve all documents related to the Trump investigation. The records raise serious questions about how Arctic Frost was launched and who was involved in shaping the legal strategy against Trump.
