Biden-Era Surveillance SCANDAL: Trump’s Allies Targeted

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The Biden-era FBI secretly seized phone records of two Trump allies who now hold the nation’s most powerful positions, prompting a swift purge of FBI personnel that signals the end of tolerance for weaponized law enforcement.

Story Snapshot

FBI subpoenaed phone records of Kash Patel and Susie Wiles in 2022-2023 during Special Counsel Jack Smith’s Trump investigations
Patel, now FBI Director, fired at least 10 agents involved, calling the subpoenas “outrageous” overreach using hidden file categories
Records targeted private citizens to verify Jan. 6 timelines without obtaining actual call content, part of broader GOP lawmakers’ surveillance
Patel has eliminated “Prohibited” file classifications FBI used to evade congressional oversight and launched internal accountability measures

Biden FBI Secretly Targeted Trump’s Inner Circle

The FBI issued subpoenas for phone records belonging to Kash Patel and Susie Wiles during 2022 and 2023 while Special Counsel Jack Smith investigated President Trump’s handling of classified documents and 2020 election challenges. Both individuals were private citizens at the time, not government officials. The subpoenas obtained metadata showing call times and recipients around January 6, 2021, but did not capture actual conversation content. Grand juries approved the requests as part of Smith’s dual prosecutions targeting Trump’s Mar-a-Lago document retention and election interference allegations. These cases collapsed after Trump’s 2024 re-election due to DOJ policies against prosecuting sitting presidents.

New FBI Director Fires Agents Behind Surveillance Abuse

Kash Patel responded to discovering the Biden-era surveillance by terminating at least 10 FBI employees connected to the investigations, with some reports indicating up to 20 firings. Patel labeled the subpoenas “outrageous and deeply alarming,” accusing agents of using “flimsy pretexts” hidden in so-called “Prohibited” files to circumvent congressional oversight. These special file categories, first disclosed by Reuters, allowed FBI personnel to shield sensitive operations from routine scrutiny. Patel has since abolished this classification system entirely and initiated an internal inquiry into surveillance practices. The firings targeted agents involved in both Trump investigations and other controversial Biden-era actions, including George Floyd-related cases.

Pattern of Targeting Republicans Emerges

The Patel and Wiles subpoenas fit a broader pattern of FBI surveillance against Trump allies during the Biden administration. Special Counsel Smith’s team also obtained phone records from Republican senators including Ron Johnson, Chuck Grassley, Josh Hawley, and Lindsey Graham covering calls made around January 4-7, 2021. Senator Johnson characterized these actions as a “fishing expedition,” echoing widespread GOP concerns about weaponized federal law enforcement. Unlike the lawmaker records, Patel and Wiles were non-officials when targeted, raising additional constitutional questions. Patel previously testified before a grand jury in October 2022 regarding the classified documents case, initially invoking Fifth Amendment protections before receiving immunity to compel testimony.

Legal Challenges and Reform Efforts Intensify

Three former FBI officials fired by Patel filed lawsuits in September 2025 alleging retaliatory and illegal terminations that violated agency protocols. The suits claim Patel’s actions contradict his Senate confirmation testimony and suggest White House or DOJ direction, potentially breaching federal employment protections. Despite these legal challenges, Patel has pressed forward with reforms aimed at dismantling what he and GOP lawmakers describe as “deep state” elements within the FBI. He turned over records documenting the surveillance to Senators Grassley and Johnson, who launched their own probes into FBI overreach. Attorney General Pam Bondi has scheduled oversight hearings to examine the agency’s conduct during the Biden years.

Restoring Accountability to Law Enforcement

The revelations underscore why millions of Americans supported Trump’s return to office—to end the politicization of federal agencies against conservatives. For four years, the FBI operated as an arm of partisan witch hunts, surveilling loyal Americans who dared challenge the establishment’s narrative. Patel’s swift actions demonstrate that accountability has finally arrived at the FBI. The use of secret file categories to hide operations from elected representatives represents exactly the kind of government overreach our Constitution was designed to prevent. By eliminating these shadowy practices and removing personnel who abused their authority, Patel is rebuilding an FBI that serves the American people rather than political operatives. The lawsuits from fired agents reveal desperation among those who weaponized law enforcement, now facing consequences for their actions.