GOP’s anger towards FBI Director Wray at peak level.

FBI Director Christopher Wray Faces GOP Scrutiny

FBI Director Christopher Wray has come under fire from Republicans for his agency’s lack of cooperation in investigations into alleged abuses of power by the FBI. House Republicans have been investigating the FBI since January, but Wray’s agency has declined cooperation at nearly every step. The latest standoff came on Monday when House Oversight Committee staff returned empty-handed from a meeting with the FBI over an internal document alleging a criminal scheme between then-Vice President Joe Biden and a foreign national. Republicans have accused top FBI officials of trying to shut off even the limited pipeline of information by retaliating against whistleblowers who had spoken to Congress. Wray is set to testify in mid-July before the House Judiciary Committee, where he will face hard questions about why the bureau under his leadership has found itself embroiled in so many controversies, all of them involving at least the perception of unfair treatment toward conservatives only.

Republicans Accuse FBI of Biased Treatment

Republicans began their scrutiny of the FBI this year with inquiries into why the bureau had handled an investigation of former President Donald Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents so much more aggressively than a similar investigation into whether Biden committed the same offense. The FBI has not shed any light on that question. Last week, special counsel John Durham released a long-awaited report on the origins of the Russian collusion investigation that revealed, among other things, how FBI agents dove headlong into an investigation of Trump’s 2016 campaign over alleged foreign influence while dismissing arguably stronger and better-sourced allegations of the same offense against Hillary Clinton’s campaign. The FBI has hidden behind the ongoing nature of the Trump and Biden classified document cases, investigations into Jan. 6 offenders, and a litany of other issues to avoid explaining what looks to Republicans as biased treatment.

Wray’s Popularity Erodes Among Republicans

Wray’s seeming inability to turn the page from the controversial end of former FBI Director James Comey’s tenure has eroded confidence among Republicans in Wray, who at one time enjoyed broad bipartisan support. His popularity as the bureau’s new leader stemmed from his pledge not to let politics seep into FBI business. The emerging consensus among Republicans is that he’s failed. Still, GOP lawmakers could struggle to make the case against Wray sharp and concise enough to drum up public support for his removal given the sheer volume and breadth of allegations they’ve leveled against him.

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