FBI Emails Show Investigation into Trump's J6 Prisoner Choir Connection

Senate Judiciary Committee obtains internal communications from 2023
Internal FBI emails from 2023, obtained by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and shared with The New York Post, document discussions among Department of Justice personnel regarding potential investigations into former President Donald Trump's involvement with a January 6 prisoner choir project. The communications show prosecutors and agents discussing how to investigate Trump's role in a musical collaboration that raised funds for families of January 6 defendants.
The emails include correspondence from prosecutor JP Cooney, who worked on special counsel investigations, requesting colleagues to investigate Trump's participation in recording the Pledge of Allegiance for a song titled 'Justice For All.' The investigation was reportedly initiated based on a Forbes article about the collaboration. FBI Special Agent Walter Giardina responded that he was working on gathering information about the matter, according to the documents.
KEY POINTS
- •FBI emails show Trump choir probe
- •Grassley obtained 2023 DOJ communications
- •Investigation based on Forbes article
Senator Grassley has characterized these communications as evidence of improper focus within federal law enforcement. He stated that the emails show prosecutors and agents were searching for information they could use to build another case against Trump instead of focusing on core law enforcement responsibilities. Grassley is reportedly working with current FBI leadership to examine past investigative practices.
The article indicates that prosecutors were considering various charges related to January 6, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of an official proceeding. However, these cases were ultimately not pursued. The report notes that after winning the 2024 election, President Trump dismissed personnel involved in these investigations and issued pardons to January 6 defendants.
The report also mentions that FBI Director Kash Patel provided Grassley with an intelligence report regarding alleged Chinese involvement in creating fraudulent driver's licenses potentially intended for use with mail-in ballots in the 2020 election. Senator Grassley has indicated that his investigative work will continue, stating there will be 'much more coming' from his office.