FBI Director Christopher Wray faced intense questioning from the House Judiciary Committee regarding the handling of the Hunter Biden investigation, firmly denying accusations of political bias and shielding the Biden family. Wray emphasized the bureau's impartiality, rejecting claims of favoritism as "baseless." However, he refrained from disclosing whether President Biden is currently under federal investigation for an alleged bribery scheme.
Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) reiterated his commitment to investigating potential government overreach against citizens and criticized what he perceived as a "double standard" within the justice system, contrasting the handling of Biden-related investigations with the probe into former President Trump. This sentiment resonated throughout the hearing among GOP members.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) highlighted allegations from IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley, suggesting deliberate actions were taken to shield Hunter Biden and restrict inquiries related to the President. Gaetz cited a WhatsApp message where Hunter Biden seemingly invoked his father's presence while pressuring a Chinese energy executive. Wray's response was a categorical denial of protecting the Bidens, asserting the FBI's commitment to impartiality.
Whistleblowers also allege that federal prosecutors obstructed lines of inquiry concerning President Biden despite potentially incriminating evidence. They claim the FBI possessed Hunter Biden's laptop in 2019, aware of its potentially significant contents before the 2020 election, yet collaborated with social media platforms to suppress related stories. Further questions arose about the FBI's handling of an FD-1023 form detailing bribery allegations against then-Vice President Biden and his son by a Burisma Holdings executive.
While the House Oversight Committee subpoenaed this document, the FBI provided only a redacted version for review in a secure setting, prompting Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) to threaten contempt charges against Wray. Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wisc.) pressed Wray on these allegations during the hearing, specifically regarding potential payments received by the President from foreign entities during his vice presidency. Wray, citing the ongoing investigation led by Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss, deflected these questions, neither confirming nor denying whether President Biden is under investigation.
An FBI official clarified that the agency focuses on fact-finding, leaving charging decisions to the Department of Justice. Last month, the DOJ announced Hunter Biden's plea agreement on tax and firearm charges, likely avoiding jail time. Whistleblowers and others suggest more serious charges were warranted. Jordan has requested transcribed interviews with key FBI and DOJ officials involved in the investigation.
