By Farnoush Amiri, Eric Tucker and Lisa Mascaro | Associated Press
In a contentious congressional hearing on Wednesday, FBI Director Chris Wray staunchly defended the integrity of the bureau, dismissing Republican grievances and allegations of bias. Wray refused to comment on ongoing investigations involving former President Donald Trump and Hunter Biden, maintaining the FBI’s commitment to confidentiality. He strongly refuted claims that the bureau was favoring the Biden family or had any involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, calling such accusations “ludicrous.”
Wray emphasized the broader scope of the FBI’s work beyond high-profile investigations in his opening remarks, highlighting the agency’s efforts in fighting crime, dismantling drug cartels, and safeguarding the American people from various threats. He stated, “That is the real FBI.”
This contentious atmosphere on Capitol Hill is a stark departure from the traditional support Republicans have shown for law enforcement, now deeply divided from federal agencies like the FBI. Republicans accuse the bureau of bias and claim that the federal justice system is unfairly tilted against conservatives, including Trump and his allies.
The hearing, led by Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, aimed to challenge what Republicans perceive as the “weaponization” of the federal justice system. Jordan cited a federal judge’s recent ruling against the government’s efforts to curb misinformation on social media as an example of alleged infringement by the FBI. However, the top Democrat on the committee, Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York, dismissed the hearing as “performance art” and baseless investigations.
During the hearing, tensions rose between Wray and Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., as Wray highlighted the increased number of FBI applicants in Florida. Gaetz criticized Wray’s response, to which Wray said, “We’re deeply proud of them, and they deserve better than you.”
Wray became animated when Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., suggested that the FBI had suppressed the lab leak theory concerning the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. Wray vehemently denied the accusation and pointed out that the FBI was the only agency in the intelligence community to conclude that a lab leak was more probable than a zoonotic transmission.
Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., expressed her disappointment in the majority engaging in conspiracy theories to discredit the FBI, considering it as one of the premier law enforcement agencies in the United States.
Republican efforts to challenge the FBI have been ongoing since they gained the majority in January. They have conducted hearings, invited former FBI agents and Twitter executives, and formed a special committee to investigate alleged abuses. The GOP has also opened a joint investigation into the Hunter Biden case, citing IRS whistleblowers’ testimonies regarding the Justice Department’s interference.
Suggestions to impeach Attorney General Merrick Garland and withhold funding for federal law enforcement loomed over the hearing, shadowing Congress’s preparation of annual spending bills.
Wray also addressed the push to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) granting surveillance powers to intelligence agencies. Members from both parties are concerned about potential abuses of the program and have called for reforms.
Furthermore, Wray addressed concerns regarding Attorney General Garland’s 2021 memo on coordinating with local law enforcement over threats against school boards. Republicans criticized the memo for supposedly infringing on parental rights. Wray assured that the FBI does not involve itself in policing or investigating free speech at school board meetings.
In separate investigations, the Justice Department has accused Trump of illegally retaining government secrets and attempting to undermine Biden’s election. Trump has pleaded not guilty to 37 felony counts.
Some conservative Republicans are seeking to cut off funding for the FBI, and Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., has expressed doubts about relocating the FBI headquarters. McCarthy believes that Congress should focus on FBI offices in the states instead.
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