The FBI’s Washington Field Office is shutting down its federal public corruption squad known as “CR15,” the same unit that spearheaded the bureau’s “Arctic Frost” investigation—a precursor to Special Counsel Jack Smith’s probe into President Trump.
The Washington Field Office has three squads dedicated to public corruption, but CR15 stood out for its deep involvement in the “Arctic Frost” probe—a precursor to Smith’s investigation into Trump and his allies’ efforts to challenge the 2020 election “results.” That probe led to one of two federal criminal cases filed against Trump, both of which were later dismissed following his return to office.
Agents assigned to CR15 will be reassigned elsewhere within the bureau. An FBI official described the move as part of a broader reorganization and said additional structural changes at the Washington Field Office are expected. The bureau maintains that public corruption cases will continue to be pursued despite the squad’s closure.
A senior official at the Washington Field Office was also recently reassigned, although an FBI spokesperson said it was not due to any disciplinary issue.
Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley and Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chair Ron Johnson have both scrutinized CR15 in recent months, raising concerns over its handling of politically sensitive investigations. Grassley said the unit had been “weaponized” against Trump and his allies and welcomed its closure.
“It’s good news it’s been shut down after I exposed the unit for its misconduct,” Grassley said in a statement. “Transparency brings accountability, and the FBI must ensure all records are preserved as my investigations continue.”
