Gaetz spars with FBI Director Wray in tense hearing: ‘Are you protecting the Bidens?’
WASHINGTON, D.C. (FLV) – Tensions flared Wednesday as Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., questioned FBI Director Christopher Wray about potential preferential treatment towards President Joe Biden and the first family.
During a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Gaetz commenced his line of questioning by reciting a WhatsApp message from July of 2017.
In the message, Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, purportedly demanded money from a Chinese business associate.
“I am sitting here with my father and we would like to understand why the commitment made has not been fulfilled,” Hunter Biden said to CEFC China Energy translator Raymond Zhao. “I will make certain that between the man sitting next to me and every person he knows and my ability to forever hold a grudge that you will regret not following my direction. I am sitting here waiting for the call with my father.”
The message was made public last month by Republicans serving on the House Ways and Means Committee.
Gaetz questioned Wray, asking “Sounds like a shakedown, doesn’t it, director?”
Wray refused to answer, instead saying he wouldn’t “get into commenting on that.”
Gaetz then laid into the director and accused him of being “suspiciously uncurious” before accusing Wray of protecting the Bidens.
“You seem deeply uncurious about it, don’t you? Almost suspiciously uncurious. Are you protecting the Bidens?” Gaetz inquired.
Wray denied any FBI role in protecting the Bidens, responding, “Absolutely not.”
Gaetz also alleged that Wray’s conduct in running the FBI had destroyed public confidence in the agency.
The director objected and highlighted the number of FBI job applicants coming from Gaetz’s home state.
“Respectfully, Congressman, in your home state of Florida, the number of people applying to come work for us and devote their lives working for us, it’s over, up over 100%,” Wray said.
The congressman did not let Wray have the last word and responded saying that “we’re deeply proud of them and they deserve much better than you.”
