A Wayland resident was reportedly among 42 Iowans whose information was obtained as part of former Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation involving President Donald Trump.
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley disclosed the Iowa connection Tuesday while chairing a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing examining Smith’s investigation.
According to Grassley’s office, records provided to the committee show information connected to 42 Iowans was turned over to the Justice Department and FBI during the investigation. Grassley’s office says those individuals had donated to Trump or Trump-aligned Republican organizations between 2019 and 2023.
One of those individuals was from Wayland, bringing the issue directly into the KILJ listening area.
Grassley has been investigating the scope of an FBI investigation known as Arctic Frost, which preceded Smith’s appointment as special counsel. Grassley says records obtained through congressional oversight show investigators sought information involving hundreds of Republican individuals and organizations.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Grassley accused Smith and other investigators of politically targeting Republicans and exceeding the proper scope of the investigation.
Smith disputed that characterization. He defended his investigation during testimony Tuesday and said decisions made by his team were based on evidence and not political affiliation.
Smith was appointed special counsel in 2022 and ultimately brought two federal criminal cases against Trump, including a case involving efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Grassley’s Senate Judiciary Committee continues to examine how information was collected and used during those investigations. Find the live hearing HERE.