Letter to the Hon. Chuck Grassley, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Hon. Dianne Feinstein, Ranking Minority Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee - FBI Director Must Confirm Independence From White House
Letter
Dear Senator Grassley and Senator Feinstein,
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is our nation's premier counterintelligence and law enforcement agency. Regardless of party or administration, the FBI and its staff work diligently to protect the American people from threats and keep our national secrets secure. Since the firing of former FBI Director James Comey in May, it is more vital now than ever before that the FBI remain free of outside influence and political pressure.
We were concerned to read on July 19 that the President of the United States believes the Director of the FBI ultimately reports directly to him, rather than the Attorney General. Not only is this inaccurate -- as the law clearly states the chain of command -- but also deeply troubling given the ongoing investigation into the President and members of his staff. Statements of this nature undermine the American people's faith in its government.
The President's nominee for FBI Director, Christopher Wray, has consistently demonstrated the credentials necessary to lead the FBI in these troubled times. In his testimony to the Senate, we were pleased to hear him commit to the FBI's integrity and apolitical mission. His unanimous passage through the Senate Judiciary Committee shows that he has earned the trust of every Senator on that Committee.
However, given the President's recent statements, the full Senate and the American people deserve to know, beyond any doubt, that Mr. Wray will not be compromised or bow to pressure from the President, and that under his leadership, the FBI will continue to enforce the law without passion, prejudice, or political pressure. We urge you to bring Mr. Wray back to the Senate Judiciary Committee, and ask him to commit to maintaining the proper chain of command within the Department of Justice and to resist all pressures from any President throughout his tenure. The Committee should also secure Mr. Wray's written testimony asserting his impartiality.
Thank you for your attention to this matter and we look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Raja Krishnamoorthi Jamie Raskin
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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