House Republicans pull back contempt charge against FBI director Wray over Biden doc

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The Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee decided to cancel a vote on a contempt of Congress charge against FBI Director Christopher Wray. This decision came after the bureau made a last-minute offer to grant the full committee access to a confidential document containing an unverified tip regarding President Joe Biden.

Representative James Comer, in a statement, announced that the committee is removing the contempt resolution against Wray from the schedule, thanks to the accommodation that grants the full committee access to the document. Comer, a Kentucky Republican, emphasized that allowing all Oversight Committee members to review the record is a crucial step toward overseeing the FBI and holding it accountable to the American people.

The recent events surrounding Wray and the contempt charge reflect a broader breakdown in the relationship between Republicans and the FBI, which has been intensifying throughout the year. Some conservatives have openly discussed defunding the bureau, expressing their dissatisfaction. This divide first emerged during the Russia investigation of former President Donald Trump and has only deepened due to the FBI’s extensive criminal investigation into the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. Certain Republicans perceive this investigation as overly zealous and politicized.

To avoid the contempt vote, the FBI made a last-ditch effort on Wednesday, offering every lawmaker on the oversight committee access to a redacted version of a confidential document that alleges a bribery scheme involving then-Vice President Joe Biden and a foreign national. This information comes from a source familiar with the matter who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity. Until late Wednesday, it remained unclear whether Comer would accept the offer, although House Speaker Kevin McCarthy stated that it would be sufficient.

Representative Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the oversight committee, expressed satisfaction that Comer accepted the FBI’s “good faith” offer but cautioned his colleague about the precedent his previous actions could set. Raskin emphasized that holding someone in contempt of Congress should not be used to undermine the FBI and that it is one of the most serious actions the committee can take.

The FBI has deemed the contempt vote unwarranted, highlighting its continuous efforts to accommodate the committee’s request while protecting the safety of sources and the integrity of ongoing investigations.

Throughout the past month, Comer consistently insisted that the only way for the FBI to comply with the subpoena was to provide an unredacted copy of the document. The reasons behind his last-minute change of course remain unclear.

FBI officials already presented a redacted version of the document, consisting of several pages, to Comer and Raskin during a 90-minute briefing on Monday. The bureau described this briefing as an “extraordinary accommodation,” enabling both representatives to take notes on the document and ask questions.

The entire dispute over the document escalated at an unusually fast pace in the House. Typically, committees engage in lengthy battles with agencies or witnesses before resorting to contempt proceedings. Often, they negotiate an “accommodation” that satisfies the subpoena’s requirements. However, Republicans acted swiftly, reaching the point of contempt a little over a month after issuing the subpoena to Wray on May 3.

Although it would have been the first time Republicans used the contempt power against a federal official since taking control of the House in January, it is not an uncommon occurrence in the House.

Democrats notably exercised the power of contempt during the previous Congress as part of the committee’s investigation into the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Steve Bannon, a long-time ally of former President Donald Trump, was convicted of contempt charges last year after a referral from the House January 6 committee. Another former Trump official, Peter Navarro, is currently awaiting trial on a contempt charge and has pleaded not guilty.

The Biden document at the center of the new dispute was composed by a longstanding FBI source who both Republicans and Democrats have deemed credible. It contains an unverified tip received in 2020 concerning the business dealings of Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, in Ukraine. Hunter Biden served on the board of Burisma, a Ukrainian gas company.

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More about FBI Director Christopher Wray, contempt charge, confidential document, unverified tip, President Joe Biden

• House Oversight Committee
• FBI Director Christopher Wray
• President Joe Biden
• Russia investigation of former President Donald Trump
• January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection