FBI instructed Hunter investigator to deny answering committee queries.
OAN’s Roy Francis
10:16 AM – Wednesday, July 19, 2023
The FBI Warns Former Supervisor Investigating Hunter Biden
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued a warning to a former supervisor within the agency who was investigating Hunter Biden. The warning advised the supervisor to “decline to answer” certain questions expected from the House Oversight Committee regarding the case.
The letter, obtained by the New York Post, was sent by FBI General Counsel Jason Jones on Sunday afternoon, a day before the scheduled testimony. In the letter, Jones instructed the agent to “refer such questions to the FBI’s Office of Congressional Affairs” instead of answering them, in order to protect the Executive Branch’s “confidentiality interests.”
“[T]he Department expects that you will decline to respond to questions seeking non-public information likely covered by one or more components of executive privilege or other significant confidentiality interests,” Jones wrote. “In particular information about deliberations or ongoing investigative activity in law enforcement matters.”
Jones emphasized that the agent should redirect the questions to the FBI’s Office of Congressional Affairs, allowing the agency to consider the questions beforehand and protect the Executive Branch’s confidentiality interests.
“You should instead refer such questions to the FBI’s Office of Congressional Affairs. Consistent with longstanding practice,” the letter stated. “This will afford the Department the full opportunity to consider particular questions and possible accommodations that may fulfill the Committee’s legitimate need for information while protecting Executive Branch confidentiality interests.”
The letter referred to the case as “ongoing,” raising concerns among congressional Republicans that it is an attempt to hinder their demands for records and testimony. Hunter Biden’s team has claimed that their client’s legal exposure ended with a plea deal made in June on misdemeanor tax fraud charges and a felony gun possession charge, which is expected to be expunged after probation.
The letter also emphasized that department officials, including former officials, are obligated to protect non-public information learned during their work.
“Department officials, including those who have left the Department, are obligated to protect non-public information they learned in the course of their work,” Jones said. “Such information could be subject to various privileges, including law enforcement, deliberative process, attorney work product, and attorney-client privileges, and privacy interests. Current and former Department officials also must protect classified information, sources and methods, and grand jury information protected by Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 6(e).”
Republicans on the Committee claim that the former supervisory agent addressed in the letter confirmed key portions of a whistleblower’s testimony, which alleged political interference by the Biden administration in the investigation. James Comer (R-Ky.) stated that the Department of Justice’s alleged ”efforts to cover up” for the Biden family demonstrate a “two-tiered system of justice,” and that the committee is seeking answers, transparency, and accountability.
An FBI spokesperson told the New York Post that the letter is a standard practice to provide guidance to employees scheduled to testify.
“These are called authorization letters and are standard practice,” the FBI spokesperson said.
However, another source noted that the letter is uncommon due to its timing and the expansive wording used.
Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
National Political Correspondent Neil W. McCabe interviewed Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry about his lawsuit against President Joe Biden and his administration’s Whole of Government approach to suppression of conservative speech online
Presidential Appointee and Advisor Bruce LeVell joins Monica Rodriguez to discuss the establishment continued persecution of President Trump.
Founding Director of the American Warrior Association and Retired U.S. Navy SEAL Will Spencer joins Monica Rodriguez to discuss the latest foreign affairs.
Erin Elizabeth, Founder of Health Nut News joins Monica Rodriguez to discuss group think, censorship and how targeted individuals are seeking justice.
LONDON (Reuters) – French bank Societe Generale has become the first company in France to obtain a license for crypto services, as…
By Tim Kelly and Sam Nussey TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan needs to rapidly expand computing power as it vies to become a global…
(Reuters) – Social media site Reddit faces being fined for the first time in Russia for not deleting “banned content” that Moscow…
By Fanny Potkin, Sam Nussey and Supantha Mukherjee SINGAPORE/TOKYO/STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – The European Union is lobbying Asian countries to follow its lead…
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
Now loading...