FBI agrees to show House Republican lawmakers document in Biden family probe

The FBI has offered to show top lawmakers next week a bureau document that purports to relate to President Joe Biden and his family following weeks of demands by congressional Republicans and a contempt threat against Director Christopher Wray.

The FBI has announced its willingness to provide the requested document, known as an FD-1023, to the Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee, Rep. James Comer, and the committee’s top Democrat, Jamie Raskin of Maryland. The document in question is an internal FBI record used to document unverified tips and information from confidential human sources. The FBI acknowledges that these documents may contain incomplete and uncorroborated information and emphasizes that documenting a tip does not validate its accuracy.

In a statement, the FBI stated that it would make the document available in a secure location within the U.S. Capitol, accompanied by a briefing to provide additional context. The FBI believes that this offer demonstrates its good faith in providing the committee with the information originally requested and more. The FBI also highlighted the need to protect the confidentiality of sensitive information, employing measures commonly used in response to congressional requests and in criminal proceedings to safeguard the safety of sources and the integrity of investigations.

However, Rep. Comer expressed dissatisfaction with the FBI’s concession, indicating that the offer would not meet the requirements outlined in the subpoena and suggesting that he might proceed with a contempt of Congress charge. It should be noted that such a charge would necessitate a full committee vote before being presented to the House floor. Rep. Comer had subpoenaed FBI Director Wray earlier in the month, specifically seeking a June 2020 FBI form.

In a letter dated May 3, Rep. Comer and Republican Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa had brought attention to the alleged existence of the document, claiming that it described a criminal scheme involving President Biden and a foreign national in relation to the exchange of money for policy decisions during Biden’s vice presidency. It is important to note that the lawmakers used the word “alleged” multiple times in the letter’s opening paragraph and did not provide evidence or details to substantiate the accusations they made, referring only to “highly credible unclassified whistleblower disclosures.”

The White House has criticized the subpoena as another example of unfounded and politically motivated attacks by congressional Republicans against the Biden family. The White House asserts that these claims lack evidence and that decisions made by the Biden administration are solely driven by U.S. interests.