Grassley, Durbin Press FBI On Reports Of Widespread Rule-Breaking In Sensitive Investigations

Contact Your Elected Officials

According to internal audit, agents violated FBI rules at least 747 times in 18 months while conducting investigations involving political candidates, public officials, religious and political groups, and other sensitive matters

WASHINGTON –Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today requested information and an independent inspector general review following a newly publicized 2019 audit that revealed widespread violations of internal FBI policies governing investigations of political candidates, public officials, religious and political groups and other sensitive matters.

As reported by The Washington Times, the internal review revealed a ratio of slightly more than two rule violations per sensitive investigative matter reviewed by FBI auditors—including agents’ failure to obtain approval from senior FBI officials to start an investigation, failure to conduct a necessary legal review before opening an investigation, and failure to tell prosecutors what they were doing. In light of these new revelations, the Senators sent a letter to FBI Director Chris Wray to seek more information on the 2019 audit, as well as a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to request an independent review of the FBI’s widespread violations of its Domestic Investigations and Operations Guide (DIOG).

In the letter to FBI Director Wray, the Senators requested an unredacted copy of the 2019 audit and a detailed explanation of what remedial steps, if any, the FBI has taken in response to its findings.

“These widespread and apparently systemic violations of approval and notification requirements make clear that the FBI has failed to rigorously adhere to the DIOG,” Durbin and Grassley wrote. “The sheer number of FBI investigations that failed to comply with the DIOG’s rules suggests a pattern and practice of evading the rules, which consequently opens the door for political and other improper considerations to infect the investigative decision-making process.”

In a letter to Inspector General Horowitz, the Senators requested an additional audit of the FBI’s compliance with the DIOG’s requirements for conducting sensitive investigative matters (SIMs).

“Due to the nature of their subjects, these investigations present heightened constitutional and civil liberties concerns and therefore merit greater scrutiny and supervision,” Durbin and Grassley wrote. “Accordingly, we ask that the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) perform an additional audit of the FBI’s compliance with the DIOG’s requirements for conducting SIMs. Among other things, the audit should address the FBI’s compliance with relevant requirements during SIMs pending from July 2019 to the present day, including additional SIM-related guidance and requirements imposed by the FBI in response to OIG’s December 2019 report regarding Crossfire Hurricane.”

Full text of the letter to FBI Director Wray is available HERE.

Full text of the letter to Inspector General Horowitz is available HERE

The Thinking Conservative
The Thinking Conservativehttps://www.thethinkingconservative.com/
The goal of THE THINKING CONSERVATIVE is to help us educate ourselves on conservative topics of importance to our freedom and our pursuit of happiness. We do this by sharing conservative opinions on all kinds of subjects, from all types of people, and all kinds of media, in a way that will challenge our perceptions and help us to make educated choices.

Government Shutdown, Health Care, Tax Breaks=Perfect Storm

The shutdown over cuts to health subsidies for the poor stems from Trump’s OBBB plan, which critics say funneled trillions to the wealthy.

3I/Atlas Comet or UFO Arrives Tomorrow!

The 3I/Atlas object is hurtling toward our solar system on a strange path and composition, set to pass behind the sun, obscuring visual and radio tracking.

‘I’d Be Finished’: Vaccine Researcher Trashes Own Study to Save Career

Most doctors comply with the system, following orders to keep their jobs, income, and prestige, even if it means setting aside independent judgment.

Kamala, Please Run Again

Kamala Harris hinted she wants to run for President in 2028, despite poor poll numbers and her loss in 2024. If she runs, the big winners will be the GOP.

Rosie O’Donnell vs. Her Therapist

Rosie O’Donnell's therapist attempted to artfully introduce to her client to the possibility that Rosie's outrage might be performative. It didn’t take.

Federal Judge Extends Order Blocking Firings During Shutdown

A federal judge on Oct. 28 indefinitely blocked the Trump administration from firing federal employees during the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Los Angeles Dethrones Chicago as ‘Rattiest’ US City

Los Angeles has dethroned Chicago as the “rattiest” U.S. city after more than a decade, becoming the new top haven for rodents.

Prediction of Climate Catastrophe Loses Some of Its Strongest Advocates

Bill Gates says the “doomsday view” of climate catastrophe is wrong, signaling a major shift in the global warming debate.

DOJ to Review Biden’s Use of Autopen for Pardons

The DOJ will review the Biden administration’s use of an autopen for thousands of pardons, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed Tuesday.

Trump, Japanese PM Sign Critical Minerals, Rare Earths Deal

The U.S. president visited Tokyo on the second leg...

Trump Hikes Canada’s Tariffs by 10 Percent for Not Pulling Anti-Tariff Ad Immediately

Trump announced he will increase tariffs on Canada by 10% after ad by provincial government of Ontario misrepresented President Reagan’s speech on tariffs.

Trump Rolls Back Emissions Rules on Copper Smelters

President Trump issued a proclamation aimed at reversing a Biden-era environmental rule that enforced stricter air emission standards on copper smelters.

Donor Gives $130 Million to Cover Shortfall in Troop Pay During Shutdown

Trump announced on Oct. 23 that an anonymous donor sent $130M to cover military pay during the ongoing government shutdown.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central