A “highly credible” confidential human source (CHS), who had contributed to multiple FBI criminal investigations since the Obama era, leveled allegations suggesting that former Vice President Joe Biden agreed to accept money from a foreign entity to influence policy decisions. Despite the gravity of these claims and their potential to further underscore a pay-to-play scandal within the Biden family, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has directed his scrutiny towards the FBI’s conduct rather than the Biden family itself.
In August 2020, a whistleblower claimed that FBI Supervisory Intelligence Analyst Brian Auten opened an assessment that was subsequently used by an FBI Headquarters team to dismiss damaging information about Hunter Biden as disinformation. The team’s conclusion effectively ceased further investigative activities. This report was filed in a restricted access sub-file, making it accessible only to the agents who discovered the CHS’s information. The credibility of the CHS is further emphasized by their history of reliable contributions to numerous criminal cases since Biden’s tenure in the executive branch.
A report from the CHS, dated June 30, 2020, was closed by the FBI, despite the confirmation of some of its allegations. This closure, coupled with the allegations’ categorization as disinformation, implies potential interference in the 2020 elections, and raises questions of possible obstruction of justice by FBI headquarters.
Grassley’s principal concern centers around ongoing political bias within the FBI. In a call for “change in the culture,” Grassley points to these recent controversies as symptoms of a deeper, systemic issue. This call, however, is anticipated to face resistance. FBI Director Wray, for instance, has already shown signs of opposition to the subpoena and appears prepared to challenge Grassley and other congressional oversight committees.
