Memo Reveals Biden-Era DOJ Authorized FBI Surveillance of GOP Lawmakers Under “Operation Arctic Frost”
A newly obtained memo has reignited controversy over alleged political bias within the Department of Justice and the FBI, revealing that top officials under President Joe Biden reportedly authorized the surveillance of multiple Republican lawmakers during a covert probe known as Operation Arctic Frost.
The operation, conducted under then–Special Counsel Jack Smith, allegedly targeted the communications of several GOP senators as part of a secret investigation into supposed efforts to overturn the 2020 election. While parallels have been drawn to the earlier “Crossfire Hurricane” and “Russia collusion” investigations, this latest revelation has raised even deeper concerns about the scope of political surveillance under the Biden administration.
According to documentation obtained by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), authorization for Operation Arctic Frost extended far beyond Smith’s office. The memo indicates that both then–Attorney General Merrick Garland and then–FBI Director Christopher Wray personally signed off on the surveillance, suggesting the operation had full institutional backing from the highest levels of the Justice Department.
The implications are profound: if confirmed, the memo points to a coordinated federal effort, not an isolated overreach. Critics argue this constitutes another example of the “weaponization of government” against political opponents of the Biden administration and former President Donald Trump.
What has drawn even sharper scrutiny is the absence of clear justification for such an intrusive action. Lawmakers reportedly swept up in the probe — including Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) — were not accused of any crimes. Cruz, in particular, did not even object to the certification of the 2020 election results. Yet, the DOJ and FBI allegedly monitored communications under the pretext of investigating a “grand conspiracy” among Trump allies — a theory critics now call politically motivated and baseless.
The senators’ actions, including challenges to electoral votes, are well within constitutional bounds and have been used by both parties in past elections. However, only Republicans appear to have faced surveillance or investigation for engaging in the process.
Observers argue that such conduct reflects a troubling pattern: the use of federal law enforcement to suppress political dissent. Supporters of the investigation insist it was rooted in national security concerns, but opponents view it as an abuse of power justified by partisan ideology.
The fallout could be significant. With former FBI Director James Comey already indicted in connection with Crossfire Hurricane, some analysts believe additional accountability may follow for those involved in Operation Arctic Frost.
Among the Republican lawmakers reportedly targeted, Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) has announced plans to file a lawsuit over the surveillance, calling it “a grotesque violation of constitutional rights.”
The broader political implications are clear: without accountability, critics warn, future administrations — regardless of party — may feel emboldened to use surveillance and prosecution as political tools.
As one GOP strategist put it, “If there are no consequences for this kind of abuse, it’s not a matter of if it happens again — it’s when.”