On Wednesday, the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee interrogated FBI Director Christopher Wray about the alleged “weaponization” of federal law enforcement agencies against Donald Trump. Democrats on the panel sought information about Trump’s role in the January 6 attack on the Capitol and the 37-count indictment that was brought against him last month.
In anticipation of the committee’s questions, Wray focused his opening remarks on all of the ways that the FBI has served the country, though only gets credit for a few high-profile cases.
“I want to talk about the sheer breadth and impact of the work the FBI’s 38,000 employees are doing each and every day because the work the men and women of the FBI do to protect the American people goes way beyond the one or two investigations that seem to capture all the headlines,” he said.
The Trump-appointed FBI chief defended his colleagues throughout the hearing, praising the agency’s investigative methods and denying allegations that political bias dictates their actions.
Wray even said that beliefs of a Justice Department-led witch-hunt against conservatives are “insane,” as he is known to be a registered Republican and would therefore never turn on his own party.
One point of contention during the hearing was Hunter Biden’s recent plea deal. In June, he pleaded guilty to two counts of tax fraud and negotiated a pre-trial agreement that dismissed charges of illegal possession of a firearm. Hunter Biden must also complete a two-year probation period.
Republicans were quick to condemn the plea deal, stating that President Joe Biden was using the powers of federal agencies to his advantage and, to harm his political enemies.
Democrats, on the other hand, were pressing for information about the FBI’s execution of a search warrant at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence; the former president was indicted last month for willful retention of national security information. Investigators allegedly found more than 300 classified documents throughout Trump’s property.
The hearing lasted almost six hours and reportedly sparked a number of heated conversations between committee members.
