FBI Targeted Nine Republican Lawmakers in Investigation, Grassley Claims

What's happening

FBI Targeted Nine Republican Lawmakers in Investigation, Grassley Claims — early Thursday morning in connection with the pipe bomb incident that occurred in Washington, D.C., nearly five years ago. Cole, 30, is accused of planting two live bombs on January 5, 2021, one near the Republican National Committee (RNC) headquarters and the other near the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters. Explainer As A Former DC Cop, The Federal Takeover Was The Right Move Arrest Details According to a criminal complaint, surveillance footage captured an individual, now identified as Cole, placing the bombs at both locations. The devices were discovered on January 6, 2021, before they could detonate. The Department of Justice has charged Cole with transportation of an explosive device with intent to kill, injure, or intimidate, as well as malicious destruction by means of fire and explosive materials. Cole resides in Woodbridge, Virginia, with family members and works at a bail bond business. Investigators traced the components used in the bombs back to purchases made by Cole at local retailers, including Home Depot and Walmart. They tracked his cell phone to the areas where the bombs were placed and identified his vehicle through a license plate reader. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has set a special election for April 16, 2026, to fill the congressional seat vacated by Democrat Mikie Sherrill, who recently won the gubernatorial race. The primary will take place on February 5, with nomination petitions due by December 1, prompting criticism from Republican officials who allege the timeline is designed to benefit establishment candidates. Explainer New Jersey Faces Election Integrity Concerns Amid Sherrill Cheating Scandal and Federal Monitor Deployment Republicans claim that the tight filing deadline, which falls shortly after Thanksgiving, is a tactic to limit participation from non-establishment Democrats and Republicans.

What's at stake

"Governor Murphy’s rushed special-election timeline is blatant political corruption designed to protect the Democrat establishment and disenfranchise voters," said Maureen O’Toole, Eastern Regional Press Secretary for the National Republican Congressional Committee. The 11th , which includes parts of Essex, Morris, and Passaic counties, has shifted from a Republican stronghold to a Democratic-leaning district in recent years. Sherrill won her last election by nearly 15 percentage points, and more than a dozen Democrats have already declared their candidacy for the upcoming primary. Among the candidates is Brendan Gill, an Essex County Commissioner endorsed by Murphy, and former Rep. Randolph Mayor Joe Hathaway is the only Republican to announce his candidacy thus far. Critics of the election timeline argue that it favors candidates with established party connections. House Speaker Mike Johnson has not publicly addressed calls from Senate Republicans for House hearings and potential impeachment proceedings related to the Arctic Frost investigation. This inquiry has raised concerns about the Biden administration's actions against Republican officials. Explainer 118 House Democrats Refuse To Condemn Charlie Kirk's Assassination On Wednesday, Senate Republicans disclosed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI, during 's presidency, allegedly compiled an "enemies list" targeting Republicans.

They also claimed that the Biden administration wiretapped the phones of several high-ranking Republican officials as part of a broader strategy to undermine former President Donald Trump. Senator Chuck Grassley stated that special counsel obtained phone records from at least eight senators and one congressman. Smith reportedly issued subpoenas to Verizon and AT&T for these records, with AT&T challenging the legality of the request. Inquiries directed at Johnson's office regarding whether he would lead House Republicans in holding impeachment hearings went unanswered. The Senate Judiciary Committee recently described the FBI's Arctic Frost operation, which targeted various aspects of the Republican Party and conservative movement, as '100 times worse than Watergate.' Despite this, major media outlets largely ignored the press conference detailing the FBI's actions, which allegedly aimed to undermine President Donald Trump's reelection campaign by gathering data on approximately 430 Republican individuals and entities. Explainer FBI Targeted Nine Republican Lawmakers in Investigation, Grassley Claims The New York Times did not feature the operation on its front page, opting instead for a story about Talladega College's financial struggles. Senator Ted Cruz revealed that the subpoena for his records included a court order from Judge James E. Boasberg, which prohibited AT&T from informing him about the subpoena for a year. Cruz quoted the judge's order, stating, "The court finds reasonable grounds to believe that such disclosure will result in destruction of, or tampering with evidence, intimidation of potential witnesses, and serious jeopardy to the investigation." Following these revelations, several have called for accountability, including potential impeachment proceedings against those involved. What to watch next is whether new filings, agency actions, votes, or court decisions change the timeline—and how officials respond in the weeks ahead.

Why it matters

The coverage highlights: FBI Arrests Brian J. Cole Jr. in Connection with 2021 D.C. Pipe Bombs. The coverage highlights: House Subpoenas Jack Smith Over Arctic Frost Fishing Expedition. The coverage highlights: New Jersey Governor Schedules Special Election Amid GOP Allegations of Manipulation. The coverage highlights: Jack Smith Ignored Constitutional Standards In Arctic Frost Lawfare. The coverage highlights: Judge: Halligan Can't Prosecute Comey Since Trump Appointed Her. The coverage highlights: GOP Lawmakers Question Judge Boasberg Over Subpoenas Targeting Senate Records.

Key facts & context

2025-12-04: FBI Arrests Brian J. Cole Jr. in Connection with 2021 D.C. Pipe Bombs. 2025-12-03: House Subpoenas Jack Smith Over Arctic Frost Fishing Expedition. 2025-11-26: New Jersey Governor Schedules Special Election Amid GOP Allegations of Manipulation. 2025-11-25: Jack Smith Ignored Constitutional Standards In Arctic Frost Lawfare. 2025-11-24: Judge: Halligan Can't Prosecute Comey Since Trump Appointed Her. 2025-11-20: GOP Lawmakers Question Judge Boasberg Over Subpoenas Targeting Senate Records. 2025-10-30: Johnson Silent After Senators Urge Impeachment Over Arctic Frost. 2025-10-30: Arctic Frost '100 Times Worse Than Watergate' Media Won't Cover. 2025-10-29: Arctic Frost Docs Expose Breadth Of DOJ’s Weaponization. 2025-10-23: Doc Shows Garland, Wray All Over Corrupt 'Arctic Frost'.

Timeline & key developments

2025-12-04: FBI Arrests Brian J. Cole Jr. in Connection with 2021 D.C. Pipe Bombs. 2025-12-03: House Subpoenas Jack Smith Over Arctic Frost Fishing Expedition. 2025-11-26: New Jersey Governor Schedules Special Election Amid GOP Allegations of Manipulation. 2025-11-25: Jack Smith Ignored Constitutional Standards In Arctic Frost Lawfare. 2025-11-24: Judge: Halligan Can't Prosecute Comey Since Trump Appointed Her. 2025-11-20: GOP Lawmakers Question Judge Boasberg Over Subpoenas Targeting Senate Records. 2025-10-30: Johnson Silent After Senators Urge Impeachment Over Arctic Frost. 2025-10-30: Arctic Frost '100 Times Worse Than Watergate' Media Won't Cover. 2025-10-29: Arctic Frost Docs Expose Breadth Of DOJ’s Weaponization.

Primary sources

• Arctic Frost Toll Analysis Of Us Senators — grassley.senate.gov
• Biden Fbi Spied On Eight Republican Senators As Part Of Arctic Frost Investigation Grassley Oversight Reveals — judiciary.senate.gov
• congress.gov PDF
• 065351CE 066C 449A A9E5 23C5B737001A — ronjohnson.senate.gov

Further reading & references

• (Additional background links will appear here as we cover this topic.)