In a stunning development, James Comer, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, announced plans to hold FBI Director Christopher Wray in contempt of Congress. The reason behind this move is Wray’s repeated refusal to provide an informant file that allegedly implicates President Biden in a $5 million bribery conspiracy.
Comer (R-Ky.) expressed disappointment in the FBI’s failure to meet the Tuesday deadline set by the committee. He stated that it is clear the FBI won’t comply with their request and accused them of withholding crucial information from the American public.
While Comer plans to discuss the matter further with Director Wray in a scheduled call, he made it clear that the committee intends to protect their oversight authority. They are now taking steps towards holding Wray in contempt for defying a lawful subpoena.
To safeguard sensitive informant details, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) announced that Republicans would vote to hold Wray in contempt if he continues to withhold the informant file. McCarthy made his intentions clear during an interview on “Fox & Friends,” stating that he would move forward with contempt charges if the deadline was missed.
Wray had initially assured the Oversight Committee that he would provide some information regarding the requested documents. However, shortly after Comer’s statement in the late afternoon, the FBI dismissed the need for contempt threats, asserting that they remain committed to assisting the committee while protecting sensitive security interests and maintaining the integrity of ongoing investigations.
Director Wray has scheduled a phone call for the following day to elaborate on the exceptional accommodations the FBI has made to comply with the subpoena. The focus is currently on resolving the matter without escalating tensions.
In an earlier statement, the FBI emphasized the importance of protecting the American people and preventing the disclosure of sensitive material that could compromise ongoing investigations or put lives at risk.
The White House spokesman, Ian Sams, responded to the situation on Tuesday morning, referring to the House GOP’s “investigations” as innuendo and baseless rumors regarding President Biden. However, the White House did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for further comment.
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) was informed by a whistleblower on May 3 about the alleged existence of a file related to a criminal scheme involving President Biden and a foreign national. The file, reportedly created or modified on June 30, 2020, purportedly describes an exchange of money for policy decisions amounting to $5 million.
While FBI officials acknowledged the file’s existence, they initially declined to release it on May 10, citing concerns about protecting informant privacy and the reliability of the provided tips.
A contempt of Congress vote carries the potential for criminal punishment, but its primary purpose is to publicly shame the offending party. Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, for example, was sentenced to four months in prison in October for contempt of Congress after ignoring a subpoena from a House select committee investigating the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
If the House proceeds with holding Wray in contempt, it would be up to the Justice Department, including the FBI, to decide whether to pursue criminal charges. Historically, prosecutors have been reluctant to press charges even when the House determines that a superior has committed a crime by refusing to testify under subpoena.
When then-Attorney General Eric Holder refused to release documents related to the “Fast and Furious” gun-running incident in 2012, the House found him in contempt. Attorney General William Barr and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross were also found in contempt for failing to produce requested papers regarding a citizenship question in the 2020 Census. None of the three faced criminal charges and retained their positions.
Options for enforcing a legislative subpoena can include legal action, withholding funds, or even impeachment.
Comer and Grassley have not disclosed substantial information regarding the bribery allegation publicly