Agents Fired

The FBI fired multiple employees and disbanded its public corruption unit after revelations that Republican lawmakers’ phone records were monitored during a January 6 investigation.

Context

Former Special Counsel Jack Smith led an investigation called “Arctic Frost” into the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots as part of a broader inquiry into efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The investigation examined events surrounding the certification of President Biden’s Electoral College victory and ultimately led to federal charges against President Trump in August 2023, though those charges were later dropped following the 2024 presidential election.

Agents Fired

On Tuesday, FBI Director Kash Patel fired multiple employees after documents revealed that Smith’s team had tracked phone records of eight Republican senators and one Republican representative during the investigation. The legality of this is unclear and is being debated.