In a significant escalation in the investigations surrounding the 2020 election aftermath, the Biden White House provided former President Donald Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence's government cellphones to the FBI.
Fox News reported that the inquiry, initiated by an FBI agent with a history of anti-Trump sentiment, probes potential interference in the presidential power transfer.
The investigation opened on April 13, 2022, dubbed "Arctic Frost," was spearheaded by Timothy Thibault, a former FBI agent criticized by whistleblowers for allegedly initiating this high-profile case without adequate justification.
These whistleblowers challenged Thibault's authority to open such an investigation, suggesting a breach of standard procedure.
By late April, the FBI had coordinated efforts across 13 field offices to conduct interviews pertinent to the investigation, indicating a widespread and structured approach to gathering information and understanding the circumstances surrounding the 2020 election's aftermath.
On May 4, 2022, FBI agents officially took possession of the cellphones from Trump and Pence, following a seamless turnover by the Biden administration without the requirement of a warrant at that stage.
Following the acquisition of the phones, FBI agents interviewed Deputy White House Counsel Jonathan Su, gathering more insights into the internal communications and activities of the Trump administration during the critical post-election period.
A week later, on May 9, the White House received a follow-up letter from the FBI, which underscored the ongoing nature of the investigation and the seriousness with which it was being pursued.
This letter was sent to White House Counsel Dana Remus and highlighted the escalating legal intricacies involving the former administration.
Although a warrant was not initially needed to acquire the cellphones, the FBI did begin drafting one to facilitate the extraction of data from these devices, preparing for a thorough examination of the stored contents that could shed light on the allegations being investigated.
The role of Timothy Thibault in opening and leading this investigation came under intense scrutiny, particularly when whistleblowers alleged he had overstepped his bounds. These accusations suggested a potential misuse of power within the FBI, fuelling debates over the integrity and impartiality of federal investigative processes.
In response to these whistleblower disclosures, Senators Chuck Grassley and Ron Johnson took action by forwarding their concerns to the Attorney General and FBI Director, emphasizing the public’s right to transparency regarding these high-stakes inquiries.
"Sunshine is the best disinfectant," wrote Grassley and Johnson, advocating for an open and accountable investigation process to ensure public trust and confidence in the outcomes.
This investigation was soon placed under the supervision of special counsel Jack Smith, who expanded the scope to include the potential mismanagement of classified documents by Trump and issues related to the transfer of presidential power.
Trump faced charges in these regards and maintained his innocence by pleading not guilty. However, the charges specifically related to the retention of classified records were eventually dismissed in July 2024, marking a significant turn in the series of legal battles faced by the former president.
The controversy surrounding these probes was fed by narratives from both sides of the political spectrum, with a source familiar with the investigation accusing the Biden White House of participating in a "gotcha" scheme facilitated by the FBI – "The Biden White House played right along with the FBI’s ‘gotcha’ scheme against Trump," the source said.
Amid these unfolding events, the FBI's spokesperson, Ben Williamson, assured the public of the agency's commitment to transparency, stating, "As always per Director Patel’s directive, our team will work aggressively to comply with congressional requests," reinforcing the agency's stance on accountability and rigorous compliance with legislative inquiries.