The following is from Just the News.
Documents obtained by Just the News show Special Counsel Jack Smith’s office approved a $20,000 payment in 2023 to a confidential human source connected to the FBI’s “Arctic Frost” investigation.
The probe focused on efforts by President Donald Trump and his allies to challenge certification of the 2020 election results. Newly released FBI memos were turned over to Congress this week by FBI Director Kash Patel.
Patel said the disclosure highlights misconduct in the investigation.
“What occurred in the Arctic Frost matter was an egregious abuse of power and violation of the law.”
— Kash Patel
The records show FBI supervisors attempted to make Trump a formal subject of the probe, an effort that was rejected. Agents also gathered phone and email records from a wide range of Trump-connected figures.
According to the memos, the FBI obtained email records from nearly 150 people and analyzed phone data from Trump’s lawyers, advisers, and associates, including Steve Bannon, Bill Stepien, Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, Cleta Mitchell, and Bernie Kerik. Agents also reviewed call records from more than 50 White House-issued cellphones.
The most significant revelation confirms the FBI used a paid informant. One memo documents approval on June 2, 2023, for a $20,000 payment for information provided by a confidential human source.
The approval is documented in internal FBI memos released to Congress by FBI Director Kash Patel. The records include electronic communications showing prosecutorial concurrence from Special Counsel Jack Smith’s office authorizing the $20,000 payment. The memos can be reviewed here.
An FBI agent wrote:
“As discussed, request your office’s concurrence in our proposed payment of $20,000 for CHS’ provision of information in support of the investigation.”
Counselor to the Special Counsel Raymond Hulser replied:
“Concur, thank you.”
Patel said the records were released to provide transparency and ensure congressional oversight.
Read the full article here.
