White House Declassifies FBI Surveillance of Trump Family and Staff

The White House Government Transparency Task Force released declassified documents on October 5, 2026, revealing a secret FBI operation code-named Plasmic Echo. The probe, conducted under the administration of Joe Biden, monitored the travel of Melania and Barron Trump and tracked the cellphone and email records of Susie Wiles, Donald Trump's current Chief of Staff and former campaign adviser.

Documents show the investigation was categorized as a Sensitive Investigative Matter. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco recommended the probe on March 20, 2022, and Attorney General Merrick Garland authorized it on March 28, 2022. FBI Director Christopher Wray also recommended the investigation, which was part of Special Counsel Jack Smith's probe into the handling of national security papers at Mar-a-Lago.

Between February and May 2023, the FBI used pen register and trap-and-trace devices to monitor Wiles' communications with nearly two dozen lawyers, campaign staff, and five journalists. This surveillance specifically targeted her activity surrounding an April 7, 2023, interview with FBI agents in Jacksonville, Florida. White House Counsel Will Scharf executed the declassification of these records on September 29, 2026.

White House spokesperson Lauren Bis condemned the operation as a disgraceful abuse of government power and the weaponization of law enforcement. John Solomon, Chairman of the Transparency Task Force, stated the memos show an intense focus on Trump's right to a legal defense and normal campaign activities.