Senator Grassley Urges FBI Director Wray to Resign
The Iowa lawmaker stated, “The failures are serious enough and their pattern widespread enough to have shattered my confidence in your leadership.”
WASHINGTON—On December 9, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) addressed a letter to Federal Bureau of Investigations Director Christopher Wray, urging him to resign.
Grassley wrote, “These failures are serious enough and their pattern widespread enough to have shattered my confidence in your leadership and the confidence of many others in Congress.”
Throughout the letter, the senator highlights the FBI’s alleged neglect in responding to his requests for information regarding various issues, including the agency’s management of sexual harassment claims from female employees.
Wray had addressed this issue, stating in a Bureau-wide email on December 11, 2020, that the agency “has zero tolerance for any form of sexual harassment or sexual misconduct.”
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On March 4, 2022, Deputy Director Abbate emphasized to all FBI personnel: “Regardless of your rank and title, every one of us has the responsibility to treat everyone with dignity, respect, and professionalism. Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated.”
Grassley also referenced in his letter his concerns regarding the vetting of Afghan refugees under the Operation Allies Welcome program. A DOJ report from February 2022 indicated that the Department of Homeland Security had not cross-referenced these evacuees with data from the Department of Defense.
Consequently, 50 individuals flagged as “potentially significant security concerns” by the National Ground Intelligence Center were permitted entry into the United States.
Grassley stated that his requests for further information from the FBI were disregarded.
In a classified briefing to congressional staff, Wray reportedly admitted uncertainty about the whereabouts of other refugees who may pose a threat, according to Grassley.
Grassley quoted Wray as saying, “I can’t sit here right now and tell you that we know where all are located at any given time.”
He noted that a potential terror threat was thwarted when the FBI apprehended Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi on October 7 of this year. Tawhedi was allegedly planning a terror attack to disrupt the U.S. election on November 5.
Grassley also charged Wray and the FBI with applying a double standard by neglecting to investigate the mishandling of classified information by President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Wray was appointed in 2017 by then-President Donald Trump, who had dismissed the previous director, James Comey. In a recent “Meet the Press” interview, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with Wray’s performance.
“He invaded my home,” Trump remarked, referring to the FBI raid on his Mar-a-Lago estate in 2022.
Trump also criticized Wray’s earlier claim regarding shrapnel hitting his ear instead of a bullet, along with the declining public trust in the FBI as an institution.
“I can’t say I’m thrilled,” he stated.
“For the good of the country, it’s time for you and your deputy to move on to the next chapter in your lives,” the letter concludes.
The agency told The Epoch Times in a statement: “The FBI has consistently demonstrated our commitment to congressional oversight and maintaining transparency with the American people.
“Director Wray and Deputy Director Abbate have implemented strong measures to ensure accountability in the areas highlighted in the letter and are devoted to providing information about the evolving threat landscape facing our nation, as well as the extraordinary work of the FBI.”
