On Thursday, a new report by Fox News claimed that the FBI closely monitored the communications of now-White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles during its investigations into President Donald Trump's mishandling of classified documents. According to Fox, the investigation resulted in a "sprawling" catalog of her contacts with attorneys, journalists, campaign officials, Trump Organization personnel, and Secret Service.
"Documents released Monday by the White House detail 'Plasmic Echo,' the investigation into Trump’s handling of classified documents and other presidential records that led to the FBI’s 2022 search of Mar-a Lago and later included possible obstruction of the investigation," writes Fox. "The records show the FBI tracked Wiles’ phone activity from at least February through May 2023, cataloging who called her, whom she called, when the calls occurred and how long they lasted. The documents show Wiles was in contact with at least 21 attorneys, along with campaign personnel, Trump Organization contacts, Secret Service contacts and journalists, offering a fuller account of the reach of the bureau’s monitoring."
Reuters first reported in February that FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau had subpoenaed phone records belonging to him and Wiles while they were private citizens as part of federal investigations involving Trump. Fox claims that the newly released documents indicate that the investigation was more "sprawling" than previously known, "revealing how investigators mapped Wiles’ phone contacts across Trump’s legal, political, business, media and security circles over several months." Wiles' contact entries spanned journalists linked to CNN, the Washington Post, and Politico, while dozens of others are identified by labels such as "Lawyer," "Campaign," and "USSS." According to Fox, "The records do not reveal what investigators were seeking to establish through those contacts, what was discussed or provide reliable durations for the calls."
Fox reports that the probe was launched by the FBI and Justice Department in March 2022, with then-FBI Director Christopher Wray seeking authorization and Attorney General Merrick Garland approving the investigation. This was later placed under special counsel Jack Smith, whom Garland appointed in November 2022 to oversee the ongoing investigation. At the time, Wiles was running Trump’s political operation and serving as a top campaign adviser.
Commenting on the report, White House spokesperson Lauren Bis raged to Fox News, "Jack Smith’s surveillance operation was a disgraceful abuse of government power. Spying on political opponents is weaponization of law enforcement, plain and simple. Those responsible must be held accountable." These allegations come as Trump's allies have attempted to relitigate their attacks against Smith, most notably during a recent Senate hearing, during which Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) saw his accusations against the former special counsel blow up in humiliating fashion.
