FBI Director Christopher Wray and Chairman James Comer (R-KY) have reached a compromise over a subpoenaed document related to the House Oversight and Reform Committee's investigation into President Joe Biden and his family.
The document will be brought to Capitol Hill on Monday and viewed by Comer and Oversight Committee ranking member Jamie Raskin (D-MD) in an ultra-secure room called a SCIF, where technology is not allowed.
The document in question is an FD-1023 Form detailing an “alleged criminal scheme” involving the Biden family. According to Comer, it contains evidence of the Biden family setting up dozens of shell companies meant to conceal money received from foreign nationals.
🚨BREAKING: House Oversight Chair James Comer confirms FD1023 form proves Biden criminal bribery scheme after viewing it, announces Contempt of Congress hearings for FBI Director Wray this Thursday pic.twitter.com/iqWv9NgAqV
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) June 5, 2023
Wray refused to turn the document over to Congress, citing the sensitivity of the matter. He offered to let Comer view the document with redacted information, but Comer and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) rejected the offer. After Comer threatened to hold Wray and the FBI in contempt of Congress, the two men reached an agreement.
In a statement, the FBI said it is giving the committee “all of the information it originally asked for and more.” The agency defended its decision to protect the information, citing the importance of protecting physical safety and the integrity of investigations.
The Oversight Committee's investigation into Biden began shortly after the GOP won the House in 2022. Republicans had promised during their campaign that they would investigate the president's dealings if they secured the majority in the lower chamber.
Whether Comer's move to view the document and receive a briefing will be enough to satisfy his demands remains to be seen. But, for now, it seems he has at least managed to get some form of access to the highly sensitive information, without compromising the security of those involved.
This dispute highlights the tension between Congress and the FBI when it comes to matters of state secrets. Wray and Comer have both agreed to work together in good faith, but it remains to be seen if this access is truly enough for Comer to get the answers he is looking for.
Chairman @JamesComer on the Biden family corruption scandal: The FBI document "suggests a pattern of bribery, where payments would be made through shell accounts and multiple banks. There's a term for that — it's called 'money laundering.'" pic.twitter.com/U7eze1UUEK
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 5, 2023