Central ND News

A group of senators, led by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), have called for transparency and accountability regarding the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) handling of the Richmond memo. The memorandum, which attempted to tie "radical-traditionalist Catholics" to violent extremism, was leaked last year, leading to an investigation by the House Judiciary Committee.

The senators have expressed their concerns about the FBI's actions and lack of transparency regarding the Richmond memorandum case. They argue that this is part of a broader crisis of FBI leadership and a pattern of weaponization of federal law enforcement against ordinary citizens. In a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray, the senators stated, "We are writing about the FBI's failure to provide information requested by members relating to the now infamous Richmond memo while misleading this body with what little information it did provide."

One of the key issues raised by the senators is the FBI's erasure of records pertaining to the memo. They also highlight the discrepancies in Director Wray's testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on July 12, 2023. The senators called on the FBI to provide a coherent and complete response to the Senate.

The senators further criticized the FBI's response to the memo, stating, "Yet the FBI's response to this troubling memo shows the inability of these measures to safeguard against FBI overreach." They emphasized the need for the Inspection Division to conduct a thorough investigation that addresses the concerns of Congress and the public.

The letter, which was cosigned by several other senators including Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and James Lankford (R-OK), calls for the FBI to address the revelations that undermine confidence in its response to the Richmond memo. The senators believe that only a commitment to excellence and unbiased enforcement of the law will repair the FBI's damaged credibility.

This call for transparency and accountability comes after the FBI disregarded congressional requests for records related to the memo and deleted crucial records once the memo became public. The senators seek to hold the agency accountable and ensure that the FBI addresses the concerns raised by the Richmond memo case.

The letter can be found by clicking here.