Topline
FBI Director Christopher Wray hit back at Republicans claiming the agency is part of a concerted effort by the left to target conservatives, calling the allegations “somewhat insane” as Wray—a registered Republican—faced a litany of questions from GOP lawmakers during a contentious House hearing Wednesday.
FBI Director Christopher Wray listens to committee chairman Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) during a House … [+]
Key Facts
Wray pointed to his “own personal background” in disputing the GOP’s characterization that the FBI is biased against conservatives, an apparent reference to the fact he is a Republican who was appointed to the job by former President Donald Trump (Wray also worked as an assistant attorney general in the Department of Justice’s criminal division under Republican President George W. Bush).
Wray made the comments during a House Judiciary Committee hearing in response to questioning from Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.), who asked what he is “prepared to do to reform federal law enforcement in a manner which earns back the trust of the American people.”
Hageman cited a report by Justice Department Special Counsel John Durham that found the FBI should not have launched a full-fledged probe into allegations of coordination between the Trump campaign and Russian officials during the 2016 presidential election (Wray noted in the hearing that the events laid out in the Durham report happened before he took over the FBI).
Hageman alleged “the American people fully understand that there is a two-tiered justice system that has been weaponized to persecute people based on their political beliefs and accused Wray of having “personally worked to weaponize the FBI against conservatives.”
Wray repeatedly derided Republicans’ characterizations: He called allegations the FBI suppressed the Covid-19 lab leak theory “ironic” and “somewhat absurd,” noting the agency in 2021 determined it was the most likely origin for the virus.
He also said the conspiracy that the FBI played a role in the January 6 riots was “ludicrous” and “a disservice to our brave, hard-working, dedicated men and women.”
Crucial Quote
The FBI director also defended the agency’s record, saying he encourages agents to “[follow] the facts wherever they lead, no matter who likes it.”
Tangent
The report released by Durham in May argued the FBI used “raw, unanalyzed and uncorroborated intelligence” to justify the investigation and that some of the personnel involved had a “predisposition” to open the probe, citing a text message a former agent sent to a FBI lawyer promising to stop Trump from being re-elected. Despite the criticisms, the report did not go as far to suggest reforms at the agency, and many of the issues raised by Durham were previously flagged by other DOJ investigations. Trump and his allies have used the findings to amplify their claims that the FBI is part of a broader “weaponization” of the U.S. justice system to take down conservatives and hurt their chances of being re-elected.
Key Background
Republicans grilled Wray for hours during the routine oversight hearing Wednesday about issues ranging from the FBI’s roles in social media censorship of disinformation to the investigation into former President Donald Trump’s mishandling of classified documents. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) grilled Wray about the DOJ’s investigation into Joe Biden’s son Hunter, which wrapped up with a plea deal, asking Wray, “are you protecting the Bidens?”—a charge Wray strongly denied. House Republicans have repeatedly targeted Wray in its various attacks on the agency, including by introducing a resolution to impeach him.
Further Reading
Special Counsel John Durham: FBI Should Not Have Launched Trump-Russia Probe (Forbes)
FBI Chief Denies Agency ‘Moderating’ Social Media—Firing Back At GOP Claims (Forbes)
Report: Biden Will Keep Chris Wray As FBI Director — If Trump Doesn’t Fire Him First (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2023/07/12/fbi-director-fires-back-at-gop-for-insane-bias-claims-in-heated-house-hearing/