FBI veteran criticizes agency conduct in Jack Smith probe

Rob Chadwick, a 30-year FBI veteran and former head of tactical training at the FBI Academy, has stated that the bureau’s conduct during Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation deviated from standard practices. He specifically highlighted the use of pen registers on the phone of presidential campaign aide Susie Wiles between February and May 2023.

While pen registers do not record call contents, they track metadata such as the identity of contacts, location, and duration. The device logged contacts with at least 21 individuals, including Trump-affiliated lawyers, campaign staff, political advisers, and journalists. Chadwick raised concerns regarding whether investigators provided the issuing judge with the full truth regarding the extreme sensitivity of the targets, which included lawmakers and attorneys.

Additionally, Chadwick criticized the FBI’s operating procedures regarding an interview with former CIA Director John Brennan, noting the absence of written notes or a Form 302 summary.