In a bold move, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) dropped a bombshell Thursday by releasing a memo from the Justice Department, which reveals that top Biden administration officials gave their personal approval for an FBI investigation targeting Trump campaign associates. The memo, dated April 2022, was signed by Attorney General Merrick Garland, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, and FBI Director Christopher Wray.

This document, which Grassley shared on X, is a clear sign of how far the Biden administration is willing to go in using government power against political opponents. Grassley pulled no punches, calling it proof that officials "personally approved" the investigation — which he aptly dubbed "Arctic Frost." He also made it crystal clear that this memo represents the "unchecked government power at the highest levels" that many feared.

So what exactly is this memo about? It authorizes the FBI’s Washington Field Office to open a full investigation into the alleged efforts by Trump campaign associates to obstruct Congress’s certification of the 2020 election. Specifically, it looks at the submission of fraudulent electors' votes from states like Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin, and whether those connected to Trump’s campaign played a role in this supposed conspiracy. The memo is striking, with the FBI claiming they had enough evidence to suggest a federal crime had been committed.

Here’s the kicker: This memo was signed off on more than a year after the January 6th Capitol riot. It came months before Special Counsel Jack Smith took over the investigation into what has been described as the "fake electors" plot. And while Smith’s investigation has been a hot topic, the memo shows how the DOJ's examination began at an earlier stage.

Now, let’s talk subpoenas. In 2023, Smith took things a step further by subpoenaing phone records from eight Republican senators and one House member to investigate calls made around the Capitol riot. These subpoenas, which were targeted specifically between January 4th and 7th, didn’t ask for call content, just numbers, dates, and durations. But that didn’t sit well with Republicans, who claimed this was an unwarranted invasion of privacy.

Meanwhile, Sen. Ted Cruz revealed that Smith tried to subpoena his toll records, though AT&T refused to release them. Of course, Smith and his team maintain that these subpoenas were completely appropriate, saying they were a routine part of the investigation.

Republicans have drawn parallels between the "Arctic Frost" investigation and the infamous Watergate scandal. But Smith’s lawyers are standing firm, arguing that phone records subpoenas are nothing unusual and that public officials are not immune from investigation. Well, if they aren’t immune, let's hope they’re ready for whatever comes next.

This unfolding story shows how the Biden administration continues to use every tool at its disposal to go after Trump and his allies. But here’s the silver lining: Grassley’s relentless oversight remains a beacon of hope in these troubled times. It’s a reminder that, no matter how much power Washington may wield, there are still those who are watching, questioning, and holding them accountable. Keep up the fight, Senator Grassley.