Garland, Wray Among Officials Who Signed Off on ‘Arctic Frost’ Probe Targeting Conservatives

The probe was marked a ‘Sensitive Investigative Matter,’ making then-Attorney General Merrick Garland’s approval necessary to begin the investigation.

Attorney General Merrick Garland, flanked by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco and FBI Director Christopher Wray, speaks at the Justice Department in Washington on Jan. 27, 2023. Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo

Former Attorney General Merrick Garland and former FBI Director Christopher Wray were among the officials who signed off on the “Arctic Frost” probe targeting top conservative figures and organizations, according to documents disclosed by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley’s (R-Iowa) office.

According to the newly released documents, Arctic Frost—which tracked eight Republican senators’ phone calls and targeted conservative groups such as Turning Point USA—relied on Garland and then-Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco to move forward.