The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio, addressed claims that the FBI had been watching Catholic organizations in a recent appearance with FOX News. He suggested that this action is a reflection of President Biden’s 2022 statements at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where he described “MAGA Republicans” as a threat to democracy.
Jordan provided more details on the conclusions from his committee’s study, which was made public on Monday. According to the report, the FBI intended to monitor Catholics from its Richmond, Virginia, office for possible acts of domestic terrorism. This comes after the House Government Weaponization Committee previously disclosed that the FBI had improperly interviewed a choir director and a priest since there was “no legitimate basis” for the federal government to get involved in religious settings.
The congressman had previously looked at the possibility of the FBI designating specific Catholics as possible domestic terrorists. He also serves as the chairman of the Government Weaponization Committee. Speaking on “Hannity,” Jordan disclosed that pro-life Catholics appear to be more widely targeted than earlier FBI claims that this problem was exclusive to Richmond.
The memo was allegedly cancelled by FBI Director Christopher Wray after it was discovered to exist at the headquarters. Jordan, however, voiced doubt on Monday, pointing to more general instances of the FBI’s conduct, such the search and capture of pro-life activist Mark Houck in Kintnersville, Pennsylvania. This case concerned an event outside an abortion clinic in Philadelphia that state officials had earlier decided not to investigate.
Jordan highlighted the ridiculousness of the situation by highlighting Houck’s success in the federal lawsuit. Houck was prepared to turn himself in quietly, but the FBI responded forcefully, which Jordan deemed to be against American values.
The lawmaker also brought up President Biden’s remarks, in which the latter described Trump fans as radicals endangering the fundamentals of the country while standing in front of a deep crimson backdrop. Jordan related this rhetoric to the larger mindset that views conservative Catholics and pro-lifers as radicals.
Jordan went on to talk about how the FBI’s activities have affected the discussion over funding and moving its headquarters. The inspector general of the General Services Administration is presently looking into the FBI’s choice of a new headquarters location in Greenbelt, Maryland. Virginia leaders, including Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin and Democratic Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, have expressed disapproval of this move from both parties. They contend that because Springfield, Virginia, is closer to other important organizations like the Department of Defense and the CIA, it better fits the FBI’s relocation requirements.
Jordan’s comments underline the conflict between civil liberties and national security and reflect long-standing worries about the function and behavior of federal law enforcement.