Jim Jordan (R-OH), the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, threatened to hold Christopher Wray, the director of the FBI, in contempt of Congress if the agency did not turn over documents related to the panel's investigation into the weaponization of the FBI.
Jordan gave the FBI until July 25 to "substantially improve" subpoena compliance before the House Oversight Committee considers "compulsory action," which might include holding FBI Director Christopher Wray in contempt of Congress. Jordan cited two prior instances where he believed Wray had not properly complied with a subpoena.
He wrote, "The Committee issued a subpoena to you on February 3, 2023 for documents and information regarding the FBI's targeting of concerned parents who speak out at school board meetings. The Committee also served a subpoena on you on April 10, 2023, requesting documents and information regarding the FBI's classification of traditional Catholics as domestic extremists. The FBI has so far completely failed to comply with these subpoenas, which has seriously hampered the Committee's oversight efforts.
Jordan asserted that over a period of months, the committee persistently reached out and made "several accommodations" in an effort to negotiate and cooperate with the agency. He informed Wray that "if the FBI does not substantially improve its compliance, the Committee will take action—such as the initiation of contempt of Congress proceedings—to obtain compliance with these subpoenas" because he finds the FBI's approach to the committee to be insufficient.
In other parts of the letter, Jordan claimed that the evidence proved he was withholding information from the committee in clear violation of the subpoena.
"You have legal obligations to comply with and produce materials in response to the Committee's subpoenas. Therefore, months after the return dates, your refusal to produce documents in response to the Committee's subpoenas is unacceptable, the letter said.
Since gaining control of the House, Jordan and House Republicans have clashed with Wray and the FBI, alleging that it has targeted conservatives because of their beliefs. Wray has categorically refuted the charges.
Jordan gave the FBI until July 25 to "substantially improve" subpoena compliance before the House Oversight Committee considers "compulsory action," which might include holding FBI Director Christopher Wray in contempt of Congress. Jordan cited two prior instances where he believed Wray had not properly complied with a subpoena.
He wrote, "The Committee issued a subpoena to you on February 3, 2023 for documents and information regarding the FBI's targeting of concerned parents who speak out at school board meetings. The Committee also served a subpoena on you on April 10, 2023, requesting documents and information regarding the FBI's classification of traditional Catholics as domestic extremists. The FBI has so far completely failed to comply with these subpoenas, which has seriously hampered the Committee's oversight efforts.
Jordan asserted that over a period of months, the committee persistently reached out and made "several accommodations" in an effort to negotiate and cooperate with the agency. He informed Wray that "if the FBI does not substantially improve its compliance, the Committee will take action—such as the initiation of contempt of Congress proceedings—to obtain compliance with these subpoenas" because he finds the FBI's approach to the committee to be insufficient.
In other parts of the letter, Jordan claimed that the evidence proved he was withholding information from the committee in clear violation of the subpoena.
"You have legal obligations to comply with and produce materials in response to the Committee's subpoenas. Therefore, months after the return dates, your refusal to produce documents in response to the Committee's subpoenas is unacceptable, the letter said.
Since gaining control of the House, Jordan and House Republicans have clashed with Wray and the FBI, alleging that it has targeted conservatives because of their beliefs. Wray has categorically refuted the charges.
