The American people still do not know, and may never know, all of the players in Washington and elsewhere who carried out the Democrat party’s lawfare against President Trump over the years.
But they now know those who were the pushers behind the agenda: Former Attorney General Merrick Garland, ex-Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco and ex-FBI chief Chris Wray.
Just received this doc frm DOJ Proof that Biden Atty General Merrick Garland+ Deputy Atty General Lisa Monaco+ FBI Dir Chris Wray all PERSONALLY APPROVED opening Arctic Frost
This investigation unleashed unchecked govt power at the highest levels My oversight will continue pic.twitter.com/atuRnC8ara
— Chuck Grassley (@ChuckGrassley) October 23, 2025
Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley has released documents showing those names as the activists who were pushing for the “Arctic Frost” investigation that produced much of the Democrats’ lawfare against Trump.
Already released, earlier this year, were documents proving the FBI and DOJ weaponized themselves in order to put a bull’s-eye on Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence and others.
It was that investigation, “a taxpayer-funded witch hunt,” that was begun in early 2022, seizing government-issued cell phones from Trump and Pence.
Jack Smith, the inappropriately appointed lawyer who orchestrated the scheme after it was launched, also spied on eight Republican senators during his campaign against Trump.
“Opening of this full investigation is governed by the DOJ Memo. The DOJ Memo requires written notification to and consultation with the Assistant Attorney General and U.S. Attorney with jurisdiction over the matter and written approval of the Attorney General, through the Deputy Attorney General, prior the opening of any investigation of a declared candidate for president or vice president, a presidential campaign, or a senior presidential campaign staff member or advisor,” the paperwork charges.
“It is assessed that the pool of potential subjects may include individuals who fall into one or more of these categories. Although members of the 45th Presidential administration are no longer in office, the DOJ Memo states that the scope of this policy should be broadly construed to ensure that Department leadership is made aware of the opening of matters that could potentially be disruptive to the democratic process if publicly disclosed prior to an election, encouraging the FBI to err on the side of caution or seeking approval if there could be any question as to whether such actions are required under this policy,” it said.
The Washington Examiner reported that four-page memo was approved by Garland.
“Proof that Biden Attorney General Merrick Garland + Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco + FBI Dir Chris Wray all PERSONALLY APPROVED opening Arctic Frost,” Grassley wrote on X. “This investigation unleashed unchecked government power at the highest levels. My oversight will continue.”
The report noted the FBI at the time cited “no confidential sources or independent corroboration of suspected wrongdoing.” Instead its claims came from “media reporting, podcasts…”
Members of Congress have described the Democrats’ schemes as worse than Watergate, and have demanded full access to all evidence of “Arctic Frost.”
