Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has put impeachment proceedings against Christopher Wray, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Greene stated in her impeachment articles that Director Wray neglected his sworn duty, leading to a degradation of our democracy’s fundamental principles. She accuses him of turning the FBI into a Federal policing tool to suppress or intimidate anyone who challenges or contradicts the current administration.
The Director and his bureau have been heavily criticized recently as accusations have emerged suggesting widespread infringements of constitutionally-protected civil liberties of American citizens, politically-motivated targeting, and other assertions of partisan or illegal activities.
Announcing her impeachment proceedings, Greene commented, “Under the supervision of [Wray], the FBI has intimidated, tormented, and ensnared Americans perceived as foes of the Biden administration. Wray has transformed the FBI into a personal law enforcement agency for Joe Biden and [Attorney General] Merrick Garland.” She also claimed Wray employed “Soviet-style tactics” to target ordinary citizens who disagreed with President Biden’s policies.
In her impeachment articles, she contended that Director Wray had willingly failed to carry out the laws ratified by Congress and endorsed by the President, disregarding his oath when he assumed office as FBI Director on August 2, 2017.
She pointed to whistleblower reports that suggest the FBI established a “threat tag” to target pro-life individuals and groups following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that overturned the federal right to abortion.
There were other whistleblower allegations supported by leaked documents that claimed the FBI had targeted so-called “radical-traditionalist Catholics,” labeling them as “RTCs” and associating traditional and Latin Mass Catholic communities with “white supremacism.”
In 2021, an obligatory public audit disclosed that the FBI had misused the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), resulting in over 3.3 million criminal inquiries of American citizens.
Furthermore, Greene highlighted allegations that as many as 12 FBI agents were involved in a plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2021. She also pointed to the agency’s controversial raid on the residence of former President Trump, supposedly due to his possession of classified documents.
In contrast, Greene pointed out that no similar actions were taken against President Biden, who allegedly mishandled classified information. “Wray has not only unjustly targeted political opponents but has also overseen activities within his agency that seem designed to safeguard the current President and his family,” Greene stated.
She noted allegations that a senior FBI official exited the bureau amidst accusations of shielding a laptop belonging to President Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, from a criminal investigation. The computer reportedly contained potential evidence of illegal activities by the President’s son, including drug use and questionable business deals that also involved the senior Biden.
Despite these findings, the FBI has not pursued charges against either Biden. Greene emphasized the inappropriateness of any FBI Director or civil officer using their power to target one political faction while favoring another, arguing that Christopher Wray should be impeached.
As Greene introduces her impeachment articles, the focus in Washington is primarily on the upcoming debt ceiling deadline that could result in a U.S. default. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has previously stated that impeachment should not be politicized, so it remains unclear whether he will support Greene’s resolution.
Meanwhile, other Republicans, including Greene and Rep. Andy Biggs, have also advocated for the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Matthew Graves, the U.S. Attorney for the Columbia district. McCarthy, however, hasn’t shown eagerness to back these proposals.
The articles may pass through the House relatively easily if McCarthy supports them. But the Senate would present a significant hurdle. In the Senate, Wray would face trial on the charges, and a vote of at least 60 senators would be required to remove Wray from office. This appears unlikely given that Democrats, who have been keen to defend Wray and the FBI against Republican allegations of misuse, are anticipated to resist such a move.