FBI surveillance of Susie Wiles and Trump family revealed in declassified memos

Susie Wiles Jack Smith FBI surveillance Plasmic Echo Mar-a-Lago search

Newly declassified FBI records reveal the extent of surveillance conducted during the “Plasmic Echo” investigation, which examined whether Donald Trump improperly retained classified documents. The documents show that federal agents tracked the travel of Melania Trump and Barron Trump while planning the 2022 search of Mar-a-Lago.

Additionally, investigators used a pen register and trap-and-trace system to monitor the phone metadata of Susie Wiles, a top Trump adviser and current White House chief of staff. This surveillance, occurring between February and May 2023, documented contacts with at least 21 lawyers associated with Trump, as well as communications involving campaign advisers and at least five journalists. The metadata included phone numbers, dates, times, and call durations, though it did not permit agents to listen to the actual contents of the calls.

The records indicate the investigation received approval from senior Biden Justice Department officials, including Attorney General Merrick Garland and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. Some declassified internal communications also show that agents in the Washington Field Office questioned whether probable cause existed for the Mar-a-Lago search warrant.

Entities

Department of Justice · Donald Trump · FBI · Jack Smith · Melania Trump · Susie Wiles

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] Investigators used a pen register and trap-and-trace system on Wiles’ phone from at least February through May 2023. yournews.com · freerepublic.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The phone metadata tracking included contacts with at least five journalists. yournews.com · thebeltwayreport.com
[● 9 SOURCES] Newly declassified FBI records show investigators tracked phone metadata involving Susie Wiles during the classified documents probe. thebeltwayreport.com · yournews.com · freerepublic.com · timesng.com · actualidad-rt.com · +3 more
[● 3 SOURCES] The pen register system allowed for the collection of metadata, such as numbers and durations, but did not permit agents to listen to call contents. yournews.com · timesng.com
[● 6 SOURCES] The FBI investigation into the handling of classified records was codenamed “Plasmic Echo.” yournews.com · timesng.com · actualidad-rt.com · stylecaster.com · nypost.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Investigators tracked contacts between Susie Wiles and at least 21 lawyers associated with Donald Trump. thebeltwayreport.com · yournews.com · freerepublic.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Records reveal that agents in the Washington Field Office questioned the existence of probable cause for the 2022 search of Mar-a-Lago. yournews.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The investigation received approval from senior Biden Justice Department officials, including Merrick Garland and Lisa Monaco. yournews.com · nypost.com