According to Republican congressional investigators, FBI Director Christopher Wray has acknowledged the existence of an FBI form that accuses former Vice President Joe Biden of engaging in a “criminal bribery scheme” with an unidentified foreign individual.
On Wednesday, Wray confirmed in a conversation with Rep. James Comer (R-KY) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, that the FBI possesses the FD-1023 confidential human source form. However, Wray’s refusal to comply with a congressional subpoena demanding the handover of the form to the GOP-led committee may result in possible contempt of Congress charges.
The FD-1023 form, which alleges that Vice President Biden was involved in a criminal bribery plot with a foreign national, does exist as stated by FBI Director Wray. Comer stated that Wray had not committed to providing the requested papers to the House Oversight Committee. Comer made it clear that merely allowing them to view the documents in person at FBI headquarters falls short of complying with the subpoena.
Comer, who is investigating Hunter Biden’s international business connections, warned that if the FBI fails to hand over the FD-1023 form as required by the subpoena, contempt of Congress proceedings will commence.
Despite Comer and Grassley’s demand for the FBI to produce the document by Tuesday under the threat of contempt, Wray has scheduled a phone call on Wednesday in response to a letter from Comer threatening to initiate contempt proceedings if the FBI director does not cooperate. However, Wray has once again declined to comply.
On Wednesday afternoon, Grassley criticized the FBI for leaking classified information to the media while refusing to provide a specific unclassified record to Congress, treating Congress as second-class citizens. Senator Wyden also confirmed that Director Wray acknowledged the authenticity of the FBI-generated document, which whistleblowers had previously disclosed, but the bureau has yet to provide it to Congress despite a legitimate congressional subpoena.
Aside from the document’s availability, Comer and Grassley have been pressing the FBI for information regarding the bureau’s actions in investigating the allegations.
The FBI issued a statement on Wednesday, stating that Comer had been given the opportunity to review “information responsive to the subpoena” in person, ensuring the committee’s needs were met while protecting sources’ confidentiality and maintaining investigative sensitivity. The FBI reaffirmed its commitment to cooperating honestly with the committee, highlighting their efforts in arranging briefings, phone calls, and now allowing the chairman to review information in person.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, also spoke with Wray separately after the GOP call. Raskin praised the FBI director’s offer to provide in-person access to the document, emphasizing that it would protect confidential sources while satisfying the document request.
Raskin noted that despite the FBI’s accommodations and the Republicans’ claim of having access to the evidence, Comer continues to insist on charging FBI Director Wray with contempt. This suggests that the Committee Republicans intend to hold Director Wray in contempt of Congress as a distraction from the fact that they lack evidence to support their baseless charges against President Biden.
In early May, Comer informed the FBI that “whistleblower disclosures” indicated the existence of an FD-1023 form describing an “alleged criminal scheme” involving Joe Biden and a foreign national regarding the exchange of money for policy decisions. On May 3, Comer issued a subpoena to the FBI, demanding the turnover of all FD-1023 forms related to Biden. Despite meetings between Comer’s staff and FBI personnel, the bureau has not produced the document within the specified timeframe.
The FBI stated on Tuesday that Comer’s escalating actions in anticipation of the phone call were unnecessary and reiterated their cooperation with the committee in good faith.
On Monday, Comer expanded the parameters of the subpoena to include June 30, 2020, and $5 million, referencing the amount of money allegedly paid by the foreign national for the desired policy outcome.
Grassley criticized Wray for ignoring Congress’s lawful demand and emphasized that there would be consequences for this failure to comply.
