By Steve Neavling
The FBI has fired at least two special agents and disciplined a third who worked on the federal investigation into Donald Trump led by former special counsel Jack Smith, according to multiple people familiar with the matter who spoke to NBC News.
The agents were previously named in records released by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) related to “Arctic Frost,” an FBI inquiry that preceded Smith’s investigation into Trump’s handling of classified documents and his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
One of the fired agents, a combat veteran nearing retirement, was called back to the office after leaving for the day and informed of his dismissal, a person familiar with the matter said. Another agent was terminated under similar circumstances.
FBI Director Kash Patel appeared to confirm the dismissals Tuesday night on Fox News, saying, “You’re darn right I fired those agents; you’re darn right I blew up CR-15, the public corruption squad, that led the weaponization at the Washington Field Office.”
The “CR-15” unit, which handled public corruption cases and was deeply involved in the Smith probe, had been quietly disbanded in the spring. The firings did not occur until this week.
An FBI spokesperson declined to comment on “personnel matters.”
The shakeup came after Patel revealed that the bureau obtained phone toll records — showing only call durations and numbers dialed — of eight U.S. senators as part of the Trump investigation. Some Republicans, including Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, have falsely claimed that meant the FBI “tapped” their phones.
Stacey Young, a former Justice Department attorney who founded the advocacy group Justice Connection, warned that the firings could erode trust within the agency.
“Line agents can’t do their job if they are in constant fear that any action they take could result in their termination,” she said. “They deserve better.”
A person familiar with the Smith investigation said the collection of toll records followed Justice Department policy and received proper authorization.
“None of this should be a surprise,” the source said, noting that Smith’s January report outlined efforts by Trump and his allies to contact members of Congress as rioters stormed the Capitol.
