The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, in a report and resolution released on Wednesday, recommended that FBI Director Christopher Wray be held in contempt of Congress for his refusal to comply with a subpoena. Wray has declined to hand over an unclassified whistleblower document alleging a $5 million bribery scheme involving then-Vice President Joe Biden and his family with a foreign country considered adversarial.
Committee Chair James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, had previously announced that a House hearing was scheduled to consider holding Wray in contempt. The resolution concludes that Wray’s actions have impeded the committee’s constitutional oversight duties and caused significant delays. Given the FBI’s willful failure to comply with the subpoena, the resolution argues that enforcement of the subpoena is necessary.
Comer stated in a press release accompanying the resolution that the FBI has refused to comply with the committee’s subpoena and only acknowledged the existence of the record a week ago. He accused the FBI of engaging in a cover-up by leaking a false narrative to the media. Comer emphasized that the case is not closed, contrary to what the White House, Democrats, and the FBI would have the public believe.
According to Comer, the whistleblower claim was based on credible information provided by an informant who has a long-standing relationship with the FBI. This informant allegedly had direct conversations with a foreign national who claimed to have bribed then-Vice President Biden. Comer pointed out that former Attorney General Bill Barr confirmed that the record was given to the U.S. Attorney in Delaware for investigation.
The Republican chairman expressed determination to seek answers, transparency, and accountability, asserting that the American people have lost trust in the FBI’s ability to enforce the law impartially. Comer emphasized the need for the Oversight Committee to follow the facts and ensure that the federal government is held accountable on behalf of the American people. The resolution and accompanying report aim to address concerns and shed light on the FBI’s handling of the whistleblower claim.
