(Discern Report)—The FBI has terminated two special agents linked to Jack Smith’s investigations into President Donald Trump, with personnel action taken against a third. These moves come amid growing scrutiny over the bureau’s role in what many see as a politically motivated operation against Trump and his supporters.
Details emerged this week that the agents were part of “Arctic Frost,” an FBI probe launched in April 2022 that laid the groundwork for Smith’s federal cases against Trump. That investigation zeroed in on Trump’s handling of classified documents and efforts surrounding the 2020 election, culminating in the January 6 events. Revelations show the FBI obtained phone toll records from eight Republican senators during this probe, tracking numbers dialed and call durations without content.
Senators Chuck Grassley and Ron Johnson have led the charge in exposing these tactics, releasing records earlier this year that detail the sweeping nature of the operation. “The Arctic Frost investigation formed the basis of Jack Smith’s elector case against President Donald Trump,” Grassley noted in a recent statement. The probe seized government-issued cell phones from Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence, while agents conducted interviews nationwide.
FBI Director Kash Patel, appointed by President Trump in February 2025, confirmed the firings during a Fox News appearance. “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,” Patel said. The CR-15 unit, deeply involved in Smith’s work, was disbanded earlier this spring, but the terminations happened just days ago.
One dismissed agent, a combat veteran close to retirement eligibility, got called back to the office after heading home for the day to receive the news. The other fired agent faced a similar abrupt recall.
President Trump wasted no time responding to the broader revelations about Arctic Frost, labeling Smith a “sleazebag” in comments that captured widespread frustration with the special counsel’s methods. Smith’s January report claimed Trump inspired violence on January 6 and pushed false election fraud narratives, asserting a conviction would have followed without Trump’s return to the presidency.
“Operation Arctic Frost” was a taxpayer-funded witch hunt launched in April 2022 that seized government-issued cell phones belonging to Trump and Pence while conducting a barrage of interviews across the country.
Critics argue these firings signal a much-needed purge of elements within the FBI that overstepped under the previous administration, potentially spying on lawmakers to build cases against political opponents. With Patel at the helm, questions arise about whether more agents or officials tied to Smith’s team will face consequences, especially as documents continue to surface.
Senators like Cynthia Lummis have demanded further details from the FBI on the extent of surveillance, pressing if it went beyond what’s already admitted. Some Republicans, including Josh Hawley, have raised alarms over what they describe as phone tapping, though officials clarify it involved only toll records.
This development fits a pattern of accountability since Trump’s 2nd term begin where the new administration has moved to dismantle perceived abuses in federal agencies. Patel’s tenure has already seen clashes with holdovers from the Biden era, including shuttering units accused of politicized work.
As more layers peel back, the full scope of how the DOJ and FBI targeted Trump allies could expose a coordinated effort to undermine his presidency. These firings might just be the first pieces toppling in a larger chain reaction against those who weaponized government power.
Why the National Debt Is the Looming Threat to Your Retirement Plans
The Hidden Crisis No One Is Talking About
Every day, headlines warn about inflation, market volatility, and global instability—but the greatest looming threat to your retirement might be something far more fundamental: America’s skyrocketing national debt.
You can learn more about how the national debt affects you by reading this 3-minute report titled, “Debt Will Hit $40T in 2026: Prepare Your Retirement Now“.
With debt growing faster than most Americans can possibly fathom, the government’s borrowing habits have reached historic—and dangerous—levels. To cover spending, Washington is making moves with their budget packages, tariffs, and taxes. Is it enough? No. It’s not even close to what would be necessary to stop out-of-control debt, let alone reverse it.
How Debt Erodes Your Nest Egg
There are only so many levers government and the Federal Reserve can pull to try to protect Americans, assuming that’s even a top priority for them. Unfortunately, pulling one level to relive one pressure invariably adds pressure from another direction. This is why prices keep going up even as inflation reportedly slows.
For retirees and pre-retirees, that’s a perfect storm. The dollars you’ve worked hard to save lose value, and your cost of living increases while your investments lag behind.
If you’re relying solely on paper-based assets—stocks, bonds, or mutual funds—you’re essentially tied to the same system that’s creating the problem. It’s a system that was designed to work well in the 20th century, not in today’s world with people living longer and the dollar rapidly losing value.
This is why the 3-minute report, “Debt Will Hit $40T in 2026: Prepare Your Retirement Now,” is so important.
The Precious Metals Hedge
Thousands of Americans are looking for a tangible, time-tested hedge: physical gold and silver.
Unlike paper assets, precious metals aren’t dependent on government policy or the stock market’s mood swings. They’re real, finite resources that have maintained value for thousands of years through wars, recessions, and inflationary periods.
In fact, during times of high inflation and fiscal instability, gold often performs its best—because it’s seen as a store of value when faith in the dollar weakens. This is why prices have skyrocketed this year and are expected by many economists to continue going up in the future.
Take Control with a Gold IRA
One of the most effective ways to protect your retirement from national debt fallout is through a self-directed Gold IRA. This IRS-approved account lets you hold physical gold and silver within your retirement portfolio, giving you:
- Direct ownership of your assets
- A hedge against inflation and dollar decline
- The control to diversify beyond Wall Street
Augusta Precious Metals specializes in helping Americans just like you take this step with confidence. The company has earned a strong reputation for transparency, education, and personalized service—making it one of the most trusted names in the industry.
The Next Step: Secure Your Financial Future
Augusta Precious Metals has helped thousands of Americans with at least $50,000 to invest from their IRAs, 401(K)s, TSPs, and other retirement accounts safeguard their savings through precious metals.
If you’re concerned about what the rising national debt could mean for your future, now is the time to act.
Read this 3-minute report titled, “Debt Will Hit $40T in 2026: Prepare Your Retirement Now“ and learn the simple steps you can take to protect your retirement.