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Time of India
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
FBI axes public corruption squad ‘CR15' that backed Special Counsel Jack Smith's probe into Donald Trump's Capitol riots
The FBI Washington Field Office under Director Kash Patel shut down the unit that supported Jack Smith's investigation into Donald Trump In a major shake-up, the FBI has shut down one of its key units known as CR15, the same squad that supported special counsel Jack Smith 's investigation into US President Donald Trump . The closure of the federal public corruption squad was confirmed by three people familiar with the matter, NBC News reported. CR15 played a central role in the FBI's 'Arctic Frost' investigation, which laid the groundwork for Smith's probe into efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. That probe ultimately led to one of the two federal cases against Trump , both of which have since been dropped after his election victory. FBI officials said agents from CR15 will be reassigned to other parts of the bureau. A spokesperson explained that the decision to shut down CR15 was part of a broader reorganisation of the FBI's Washington Field Office, with more changes expected soon. The bureau stressed that public corruption investigations will continue under the new structure. The closure comes at a time when FBI resources are increasingly being directed towards immigration enforcement. The area is mainly handled by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is under the Department of Homeland Security. The decision also follows earlier cuts at the Justice Department, which significantly reduced the Public Integrity Section that also investigated corruption. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Health: Over-40s are snapping up the new indestructible military smartwatch Indestructible Smartwatch Undo Several staff members resigned after reportedly refusing to drop the federal corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. A judge later dismissed the case and barred it from being reopened, saying it would give the government unfair leverage over the mayor. 'This is yet another sign that it's open season for political corruption,' said Stacey Young, founder of Justice Connection. 'The administration gutted the Public Integrity Section, neutered the U.S. Attorney's Office in D.C., and is now shuttering the FBI's pre-eminent federal public corruption squad. This isn't what voters had in mind when they heard, 'drain the swamp.'' Senators Chuck Grassley and Ron Johnson, who had scrutinised CR15's work, welcomed the closure. Grassley said, 'It's good news it's been shut down after I exposed the unit for its misconduct.' The investigation into Trump began before he launched his 2024 campaign. Though Smith indicted Trump in 2023, the case stalled amid appeals. Smith's report said that Trump 'inspired his supporters to commit acts of physical violence' during the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots and knowingly spread false claims of election fraud.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
FBI folds the public corruption squad that aided Jack Smith's Trump investigations
WASHINGTON — The FBI's Washington Field Office is folding its federal public corruption squad, the same unit that aided Jack Smith's special counsel investigation into President Donald Trump, three people familiar with the matter tell NBC News. The field office has three units that work on public corruption issues, but this one — known internally as "CR15" — was deeply involved in the bureau's "Arctic Frost" investigation, which was the precursor to the Smith probe into efforts to overturn the 2020 election results by Trump and his allies. That investigation resulted in one of the two federal criminal cases against Trump, both of which were dropped after his election. FBI special agents assigned to the squad will be reassigned. A FBI official said the change was part of a broader reorganization at the Washington Field Office and that there would be additional changes to come — and that public corruption cases would still be pursued. The move to shutter the unit comes amid a major shift of FBI resources towards immigration enforcement, an area that is primarily the responsibility of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is part of the Department of Homeland Security. A top leader in the FBI's Washington Field Office was also recently reassigned, two people familiar with the matter said. A FBI official said the person was not reassigned for any adversarial reason. Earlier this year, the Justice Department slashed its Public Integrity Section, which had also worked on public corruption cases. Members of the unit had also resigned after refusing to sign off on dropping the federal corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. A judge ultimately dropped the case, adding a condition beyond what the Trump administration had sought: He said that the Justice Department would not be allowed to revive the case later, because that would give the government leverage over the mayor. 'This is yet another sign that it's open season for political corruption," said Stacey Young, the executive director and founder of the group Justice Connection, a network of Justice Department alumni supporting DOJ's workforce. "The administration gutted the Public Integrity Section, neutered the U.S. Attorney's Office in D.C., and is now shuttering the FBI's pre-eminent federal public corruption squad. This isn't what voters had in mind when they heard, 'drain the swamp.'' Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chair Ron Johnson, R-Wis., have recently scrutinized the work of CR15, writing letters to FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi about the unit. 'My oversight has shown time and again how the FBI's CR-15 unit was weaponized to execute one-sided political attacks, particularly against President Trump and his allies,' Grassley said in a statement. 'It's good news it's been shut down after I exposed the unit for its misconduct. Transparency brings accountability, and the FBI must ensure all records are preserved as my investigations continue.' The investigation into the effort by Trump and allies to overturn the 2020 election results was launched in April 2022, before Trump had announced his run for president in 2024. After Trump launched his campaign, then-Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Smith as special counsel in late 2022, saying it was in the public interest to have an outsider lead the investigation rather than have Garland, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, oversee the probe. Trump was indicted in August 2023, but his trial was delayed by appeals, which resulted in a Supreme Court ruling that gave Trump immunity for official actions taken as president. Smith issued a report finding that Trump had 'inspired his supporters to commit acts of physical violence' during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and that he had knowingly spread an objectively false narrative about election fraud in the 2020 election. This article was originally published on
NBC News
15-05-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
FBI folds the public corruption squad that aided Jack Smith's Trump investigations
WASHINGTON — The FBI's Washington Field Office is folding its federal public corruption squad, the same unit which aided Jack Smith's special counsel investigation into now-President Donald Trump, three people familiar with the matter tell NBC News. The FBI's Washington Field Office has three units that work on public corruption issues, but this one — known internally as "CR15" — was deeply involved in the bureau's "Arctic Frost" investigation, which was the precursor to the Smith probe into efforts to overturn the 2020 election results by Trump and his allies. That investigation ultimately resulted in one if the two federal criminal cases against Trump, both of which were dropped after Trump's election. FBI special agents assigned to the squad will be reassigned. The move to shutter the unit comes amid a major shift of FBI resources towards immigration enforcement, an area which is primarily the responsibility of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is part of the Department of Homeland Security. A top leader in the FBI's Washington Field Office was also recently reassigned, two people familiar with the matter said. Earlier this year, the Justice Department slashed its Public Integrity Section, which had also worked on public corruption cases. Members of the unit had also resigned after refusing to sign off on dropping the federal case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. A judge ultimately dropped the case against Adams, adding a condition beyond what the Trump administration had specified: He said that the Justice Department would not be allowed to revive the cases later, because that would give the government leverage over the mayor. 'This is yet another sign that it's open season for political corruption," said Stacey Young, the executive director and founder of the group Justice Connection, a network of Justice Department alumni supporting DOJ's workforce. "The administration gutted the Public Integrity Section, neutered the U.S. Attorney's Office in D.C., and is now shuttering the FBI's preeminent federal public corruption squad. This isn't what voters had in mind when they heard, 'drain the swamp.'' An FBI spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Senate Judiciary Committee chair Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations chair Ron Johnson, R-Wis., have recently scrutinized the work of CR15, writing letters to FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi about the unit. 'My oversight has shown time and again how the FBI's CR-15 unit was weaponized to execute one-sided political attacks, particularly against President Trump and his allies,' Grassley said in a statement. 'It's good news it's been shut down after I exposed the unit for its misconduct. Transparency brings accountability, and the FBI must ensure all records are preserved as my investigations continue.' The investigation into the effort by Trump and allies to overturn the 2020 election results was launched in April 2022, before Trump had announced his run for president in 2024. After Trump launched his campaign, then-Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Smith as special counsel in late 2022, saying it was in the public interest to have an outsider lead the investigation rather than have Garland, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, oversee the probe. Trump was indicted in August 2023, but his trial was delayed by appeals, which resulted in a Supreme Court ruling that g ave Trump immunity for his official actions taken as president. Smith issued a report, writing that Trump '' during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and that Trump had knowingly spread an objectively false narrative about election fraud in the 2020 election.
New York Post
03-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Ex-FBI agent involved in Hunter Biden, Trump probes celebrated Peter Navarro's 2022 indictment: ‘Wow. Great'
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) released internal FBI emails Thursday showing at least one former agent celebrated the Biden administration Justice Department's June 2022 decision to slap contempt of Congress charges against White House adviser Peter Navarro. 'Wow. Great,' wrote former FBI Washington Field Office Assistant Special Agent in Charge Timothy Thibault, in an email to colleagues upon learning in May 2022 that Navarro would be prosecuted for failing to comply with a subpoena from the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol. Thibault was among several agents in the FBI's Washington Field Office who played a lead role in investigating President Trump and his allies, as well as former first son Hunter Biden. Thibault resigned from the bureau in August 2022. Thibault's celebratory note is one of several emails Grassley included in a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, demanding more communications between Thibault and his colleagues be released. 'I am making these emails public in the interest of transparency,' wrote Grassley. 'The American people have a right to know as much as possible regarding the internal Biden Justice Department and FBI process to determine where to allocate taxpayer resources to investigate and prosecute former Trump officials.' 'Moreover, the FBI officials involved in the Navarro case were also involved in the politically-infected cases against President Trump, to include Arctic Frost and Special Counsel Mueller's investigation.' In a separate email, from May 19, 2022, former FBI Special Agent Walter Giardina notes that the DC US Attorneys Office 'after consultation with main Justice' opted not to pursue charges against former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and Trump aide Dan Scavino but that 'they would like to charge Navarro in the next two weeks.' Giardina then lays out the plan for what the FBI must do to secure an indictment. 'Here is what we need to accomplish: locate him (Sam – can you assist with this?), get subpoena return from Verizon for his phone (subpoena served about 10 days ago), issue preservation letter to Apple prepare a search warrant for his phone and iCloud account, conduct a knock and talk interview,' Giardina instructs several Washington Field Office agents. Thibault updates the team on May 26, 2022, about the FBI's attempt to interview Navarro. Navarro was indicted on contempt of Congress charges in June 2022. Getty Images 'FYSA. This morning, CR-15 agents attempted to interview former WH official Peter Navarro in connection to the pending Contempt of Congress case. Navarro declined to be interviewed and accused the agents and the AG of harassment. Navarro filmed the encounter,' wrote Thibault. On June 1, 2022, a day before Navarro's indictment, an FBI Washington Field Office public affairs officer emails Thibault and other agents the 'press plan' for when the White House official is arrested, which the public affairs officer notes is 'similar to Bannon's,' referring to former Trump aide Steve Bannon, who was also charged with contempt of Congress. Navarro ultimately became the first White House official in history to be jailed on a contempt of Congress conviction. He served four months in prison in 2024 and currently serves as White House adviser to Trump. Thibault resigned from the FBI in August 2022 after whistleblowers presented Grassley with evidence of Thibault's alleged involvement in 'a scheme' to 'undermine derogatory information connected to Hunter Biden by falsely suggesting it was disinformation.' He had served as the bureau's 'point man' for handling evidence submitted by Tony Bobulinski, a business associate of Hunter Biden, who alleged Joe Biden was the 'big guy' and due a 10% stake in one of Hunter's US-China ventures — but Thibault allegedly buried the information he obtained from Bobulinski. Thibault's resignation also came amid an investigation by the Office of Special Counsel into his anti-Trump social media posts. In February, Grassley and Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) obtained emails from Thibault allegedly showing that he improperly shared investigative information and a nude photo of his girlfriend with people outside the bureau via his government email while allegedly shielding Hunter. Grassley asked Bondi and Patel for additional communications, including text messages, from Thibault, Giardina and other agents by May 13, 2025.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Biden White House turned over Trump, Pence government cellphones to FBI as part of anti-Trump agent's case
EXCLUSIVE: The Biden White House turned over government cellphones belonging to President Donald Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence to the FBI in May 2022 as part of a bureau probe into the aftermath of the 2020 election, tying Trump to that investigation without sufficient predication, Fox News Digital has learned. The FBI did not need a warrant to physically obtain the government phones from the Biden White House. But after acquiring the devices, agents began drafting a search warrant to extract the phones' data, sources familiar with the investigation told Fox News Digital. Anti-trump Fbi Agent Responsible For Opening Jack Smith Elector Case Against President: Whistleblower "The Biden White House played right along with the FBI's 'gotcha' scheme against Trump," a source familiar with the investigation told Fox News Digital. "Biden's Office of White House Counsel, under the leadership of Dana Remus and Jonathan Su, gave its blessing and accommodation for the FBI to physically obtain Trump and Pence's phones in early May 2022. Weeks later, the FBI began drafting a search warrant to extract the phones' data." The phones were obtained and entered as evidence as part of the FBI's original anti-Trump 2020 election investigation, which eventually was taken over by special counsel Jack Smith. That case was known inside the bureau as "Arctic Frost" and was opened April 13, 2022, by anti-Trump former FBI agent Timothy Thibault. Read On The Fox News App Thibault, according to whistleblowers, broke protocol and played a critical role in opening and advancing the bureau's original investigation related to the 2020 election, tying Trump to the probe without sufficient predication. Thibault broke protocol by taking action to open the investigation and involve Trump despite being unauthorized to open criminal investigations in his role. Only special agents have the authority to open criminal investigations. Fbi Director Patel Working 'Aggressively' To Comply With Congressional Record Requests Ahead Of Deadlines Thibault vowed to make the investigation "prioritized over all others in the Branch" and, at the time, commented that "it frankly took too long for us to open this (investigation)," according to documents reviewed by Fox News Digital. The FBI, by late April 2022, began scheduling more than a dozen interviews for the investigation in coordination with 13 FBI field offices across the nation, Fox News Digital has learned. The revelations come from legally protected whistleblower disclosures provided to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Senate Subcommittee on Investigations Chairman Ron Johnson, R-Wis. Fox News Digital reviewed the disclosures. Ex-fbi Official Who Shut Down Hunter Biden Lines Of Investigation Violated Hatch Act With Anti-trump Posts Grassley and Johnson sent the whistleblower disclosures and records to Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel late Thursday. "The new records we are making public point to an aggressive investigation run by anti-Trump agents and prosecutors intent on using every resource available to pursue Trump and his supporters," Grassley and Johnson wrote. The first record relating to the Trump and Pence phones was dated April 25, 2022, and noted: "DOJ and FBI were informed that government-issued cellphones that purportedly previously belonged to former Vice President Mike Pence and former President Donald J. Trump were in the possession of individuals at the White House. DOJ is currently conducting analysis regarding the FBI taking possession of and processing the phones." The records revealed that, on May 4, 2022, FBI agents took possession of the two phones belonging to Trump and Pence. The phones were entered into evidence and were not processed until search warrants were obtained, according to the record. On that same date, FBI agents interviewed Deputy White House Counsel Jonathan Su. A follow-up letter requesting additional information regarding the phones was then sent from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington D.C., to White House Counsel Dana Remus May 9, 2022. Remus and Su declined to comment to Fox News Digital. A representative for former President Joe Biden did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment on whether he was aware of the situation. Agents also sought to interview former Trump administration officials, including employees from the offices of the President and Vice President, DOJ and then-Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe. Ratcliffe is the CIA director in the second Trump administration. "Sunshine is the best disinfectant," Grassley and Johnson wrote to Bondi and Patel Thursday. "The American people deserve to know the complete extent of the corruption within the DOJ and FBI that led to the investigation into President Trump." Grassley and Johnson said that they made the documents public "for purposes of public accountability and to provide specific examples of past behavior at your institutions that must not be repeated." "Quite simply, the public has a right to know what happened in Arctic Frost, and, based on what we've exposed to date, the American people deserve better from its law enforcement agencies. Grassley Presses Doj, Fbi For Transparency On 'Partisan' Politicization Of Agencies, Hunter Biden Probe "It is important that every individual at your agencies maintains the highest level of professionalism and does not allow political bias to motivate or guide their investigative work." Grassley and Johnson stressed that they "expect the production of all records related to the Arctic Frost investigation, including all internal records of investigative updates." "In addition, we request data providing a true and complete breakdown of the total dollar amount spent on the Arctic Frost investigation before it was officially transferred to Jack Smith in November 2022," they wrote. "Please also include information related to travel funds and hours spent on the investigation." Grassley and Johnson gave Bondi and Patel a deadline of March 27, 2025, to turn over all records. FBI spokesman Ben Williamson told Fox News Digital the bureau is "in receipt of Chairman Grassley and Senator Johnson's request." "As always per Director Patel's directive, our team will work aggressively to comply with congressional requests," Williamson told Fox News Digital. As for Thibault, Fox News Digital exclusively reported in 2024 that he had been fired from the FBI after he allegedly violated the Hatch Act in his political posts on social media. Previous whistleblowers claimed Thibault had shown a "pattern of active public partisanship," which likely affected investigations involving Trump and Hunter Biden. Former Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Smith, a former Justice Department official, as special counsel in November 2022. Smith, a former assistant U.S. attorney and chief to the DOJ's public integrity section, led the investigation into Trump's retention of classified documents after leaving the White House and whether the former president obstructed the federal government's investigation into the matter. Smith was also tasked with overseeing the investigation into whether Trump or other officials and entities interfered with the peaceful transfer of power after the 2020 presidential election, including the certification of the Electoral College vote Jan. 6, 2021. Smith charged Trump in both cases, but Trump pleaded not guilty. The classified records case was dismissed in July 2024 by U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida Judge Aileen Cannon, who ruled that Smith was unlawfully appointed as special counsel. Smith charged Trump in the U.S. District Court for Washington, D.C., in his 2020 election case, but after Trump was elected president, Smith sought to dismiss the case. Judge Tanya Chutkan granted that article source: Biden White House turned over Trump, Pence government cellphones to FBI as part of anti-Trump agent's case
