Republican Representative James Comer has threatened to bring contempt of Congress proceedings against FBI Director Christopher Wray after the FBI rebuffed a committee subpoena. The subpoena was issued to obtain FD-1023 forms from June 2020, which recorded confidential sources and included the term “Biden”. The Committee wishes to investigate the alleged criminal scheme involving then-Vice President Biden and a foreign national regarding the exchange of money for policy decisions. The FBI response has been viewed by others as obstructionist and unacceptable since it runs counter to Congress’s oversight authorities. The potential for prosecution lies solely with the Department of Justice, which Attorney General Merrick Garland heads.
House Oversight Chairman James R. Comer is accusing the FBI of obstructing his committee’s work by not complying with a subpoena aimed at obtaining records related to allegations of corruption against Vice President Joe Biden. A Republican probe centering on Burisma Holdings allegations aimed at Vice President Biden and his son originally triggered the request. Republicans claim to have “highly credible unclassified whistleblower disclosures,” although they have provided no concrete evidence to this effect. This latest action could stymie potential investigations into allegations against Vice President Biden and may hinder the efforts of the committee investigating sensitive corruption cases.
Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has made headlines recently as she has introduced articles of impeachment against FBI Director Christopher Wray and US Attorney for the District of Columbia, Matthew Graves. The allegations are that both men were appointed by former President Donald Trump and that Wray has turned the FBI into the personal police force of President Joe Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland, and Graves is subverting the justice system. Some commentators have called the move unusual since impeachment is generally reserved for elected officials. It remains to be seen whether the take-up will have any traction.
The resistance of the FBI to produce the requested records is not in unfamiliar territory. The FBI, particularly of late, has come under a significant amount of criticism. FBI Director Christopher Wray has been accused of being uncooperative and obfuscatory regarding a request to produce the FD-1023 forms that contain the phrase “Biden.” Additionally, last year, agents broke rules 747 times in only 18 months, which resulted in moral outrage, particularly from Republicans. It is uncertain what final action the House Oversight Committee could undertake apart from retaliation. The question regarding the possible prosecution of Director Wray would rest with the Department of Justice, and therein Attorney General Merrick Garland has that decision.
In conclusion, Director Wray’s refusal to comply with the committee’s subpoena and Greene’s call to remove Director Wray have underscored the politics of the moment. Many commentators may see these moves as politically motivated in light of the 2022 midterm elections. For Director Wray, the criticism is not new, and while some may view it as disturbing, his supporters and advocates for the FBI see it as par for the course.
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