The House Oversight Committee will move ahead with a contempt hearing against FBI Director Christopher Wray.
On Monday, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) discussed a document in the bureau’s possession that he believes alleges President Joe Biden took a bribe while he was vice president.
Speaking to reporters, Comer said, “The FBI again refused to hand over the unclassified record to the custody of the House Oversight Committee, and we will now initiate contempt of Congress hearings this Thursday.”
“Given the severity and complexity contained within this record, Congress must investigate further,” he continued.
Comer added, “The investigation is not dead. This is only the beginning.”
Watch the video below:
Chair James Comer announces the House Oversight Committee will conduct contempt of Congress hearings for FBI officials on Thursday over documents relating to the investigation into Hunter Biden:
— The Recount (@therecount) June 5, 2023
“The investigation is not dead. This is only the beginning.” pic.twitter.com/7iK8XtHvNB
Fox News notes the contempt proceedings stem from House Republicans’ request to view an FBI-generated FD-1023 form.
As the network notes, the form “allegedly describes a $5 million criminal scheme involving then-Vice President Joe Biden and a foreign national relating to the exchange of money for policy decisions.”
The FBI has said it offered the committee “access to information responsive to the Committee’s subpoena in a format and setting that maintains confidentiality and protects important security interests and the integrity of FBI investigations.”
The bureau initially offered to let lawmakers view the document at its headquarters but later offered to bring it to the Capitol to be viewed.
However, Comer was not pleased with that offer.
A reporter asked him on Monday, “Why do you need the document at hand? You just got a chance to view it… Why move forward with contempt when the FBI says they’re cooperating in good faith?”
“I’m supposed to take the FBI’s word that they’re investigating this?” Comer shot back.
Reporter: “Why do you need the document at hand? You just got a chance to view it … Why move forward with contempt when the FBI says they’re cooperating in good faith?”
House Oversight Chair James Comer: “I’m supposed to take the FBI’s word that they’re investigating this?” pic.twitter.com/sgPhRaobwL
— The Recount (@therecount) June 5, 2023
Democratic lawmakers insist they have not seen evidence to support the claims of corruption in the FD-1023 form.
Meanwhile, the White House has called the incident an example of the way Republicans “have been lobbing unfounded, unproven, politically motivated attacks” against Biden’s family that do not have “evidence for their claims or evidence of decisions influenced by anything other than U.S. interests.”
