Grassley: FBI Must Immediately Explain Itself After Years of Politicization and Loss of Public Trust
NEW HARTFORD, IOWA – Judiciary Committee Ranking
Member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), today issued the following statement after speaking
with FBI Director Wray:
“Less
than a week ago, I expressed serious concern that what little remains of the
FBI’s credibility is on the line following its inconsistent handling of
politically sensitive investigations, failure to hold its own employees accountable
for misconduct and consistent disregard for congressional oversight. Last night’s
raid on the home of a former U.S. president without
explanation will only further erode confidence in the FBI and the Justice
Department.
“I
reiterated these concerns to Director Wray today. If the FBI isn’t extraordinarily
transparent about its justification for yesterday’s actions and committed to
rooting out political
bias that has infected their most sensitive investigations, they will have
sealed their own fate. The FBI’s mission and the many patriotic agents who work
hard to carry it out will be forever overshadowed by the distrust the bureau has
sown.
“The
Justice Department as a whole bears responsibility in upholding the public
trust, and in a matter so consequential to our democratic process, Attorney
General Garland also owes the American people full transparency,” Grassley
said.