FBI Fabricated Investigation to Target Republican Congress Members Without Evidence
Source: Breccan F. Thies. "Docs: FBI Cooked Up Another Fake Investigation To Spy On GOP." April 21, 2026. thefederalist.com
The Gist
The author argues that FBI agents and prosecutors opened a fake investigation against Republican Congress members after January 6th, even though they privately knew there was no real evidence. The investigation dragged on for a year despite finding nothing, and the same prosecutors later worked on cases against Trump.
Conclusion
The FBI and DOJ conducted a politically motivated, evidence-free investigation (Operation Rampart 12) against Republican members of Congress, demonstrating partisan weaponization of law enforcement
Premises
- FBI opened Operation Rampart 12 on January 22, 2021, based primarily on Rep. Mikie Sherrill's allegations that Republicans conducted 'reconnaissance' tours before January 6
- Internal text messages show prosecutors J.P. Cooney and Molly Gaston privately acknowledged Sherrill's allegations lacked credibility, calling them 'completely incredible'
- Video evidence contradicted the reconnaissance tour claims, showing Boebert was not leading any group and was 'not with others'
- After months of investigation, FBI still had no evidence linking Boebert and Gosar to the allegations against them
- The investigation was improperly extended beyond normal six-month timeframe without justification, continuing for a full year until shut down by FBI headquarters
- Prosecutors discussed ways to 'circumvent' constitutional protections (Speech or Debate Clause) and statutory barriers protecting congressional toll records
- Key figures in this investigation (Cooney, Gaston) later worked with Jack Smith on anti-Trump prosecutions, suggesting a pattern of partisan lawfare
Assumptions
- Internal text messages accurately reflect the prosecutors' true beliefs about the evidence
- Normal FBI investigation procedures require closing cases after six months without evidence
- The Speech or Debate Clause and statutory protections for congressional records are legitimate constitutional barriers
- Political motivations can be inferred from the timing, personnel, and procedural irregularities of the investigation