GOP threatens Wray with contempt of Congress charges

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan warned the FBI director of the implications if he continued to fail in the performance of his duties.

The Republican Party has reprimanded the director of the FBI, Christopher Wray, with contempt of Congress for displaying an attitude "unbecoming" of a federal agency over two subpoenas served on him in February and April. Through a statement, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan has given him until July 25 to properly perform his duties.

"We write to notify you that if the FBI does not improve its compliance substantially, the Committee will take action -such as the initiation of content of Congress proceedings- to obtain compliance with these subpoenas," Jordan said. "To date, the FBI’s compliance with these subpoenas has been wholly inadequate and has materially impeded the Committee’s oversight efforts."

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The subpoenas made to the FBI correspond to how it designated Catholic groups and professionals in school administrations. "On February 3, 2023, the Committee issued a subpoena to you for documents and information regarding the FBI’s targeting of concerned parents who speak out at school board meetings," the House Judiciary Committee chairman noted. "Similarly, on April 10, 2023, the Committee issued a subpoena to you for documents and information related to the FBI’s profiling of traditional Catholics as domestic extremists."

In the statement, the Republican congressman reflected on the numerous requests made from the Committee to the FBI and the terse responses received from the federal bureau. "After several accommodations, months of persistent outreach by the Committee, and attempts to negotiate and work with the FBI in good faith, we write to notify you that if the FBI does not improve its compliance substantially, the Committee will take action -such as the initiation of contempt of Congress proceedings- to obtain compliance with these subpoenas," concluded Jordan.