Staff Reports
FBI Director Christopher Wray faced the heat during a Senate hearing as Republican lawmakers grilled him over a controversial memo that targeted certain Catholics. Wray revealed that the employees involved in drafting the memo had been “admonished,” but this response didn’t sit well with the GOP.
FBI director says anti-Catholic memo authors were 'admonished,' not removed https://t.co/petVZaDQVI
— OverTheBS (@Maddad0072) December 6, 2023
Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) demanded to know if the individuals responsible for the memo had been fired, to which Wray replied that they hadn’t. This led to a tense exchange where Hawley pressed for firings, but Wray stated that the employees had been admonished and that their actions would impact their performance reviews and compensation. However, this didn’t seem to appease the frustrated Republican senator.
The House Judiciary Committee had previously investigated the memo and released a report detailing its findings. The memo, which labeled “radical-traditionalist Catholics” as a potential threat, caused outrage among religious freedom advocates and the Catholic community. The memo had even cited real-life criminal suspects to bolster its assertions.
The committee’s investigation also revealed concerning details about the memo’s circulation within the FBI and alleged attempts to develop sources within churches. It was further disclosed that interviews with a priest and choir director were conducted in connection to the memo’s content. The FBI later confirmed that these interviews were part of an investigation into an individual who had been arrested for threatening violence.
Despite the FBI’s subsequent statement affirming that the memo didn’t meet its standards and that there was no malicious intent targeting Catholics, the fallout from the memo continued. CatholicVote President Brian Burch expressed alarm over the widespread nature of the memo’s development and distribution, calling for accountability and answers from the FBI.
The House Judiciary Committee stood by its findings, emphasizing that the memo had been disseminated across the country and condemning the FBI’s actions as “inexcusable.” The committee’s spokesman reiterated that whistleblowers had provided information about the memo’s wide distribution, further intensifying the scrutiny on the FBI’s conduct.
The controversy surrounding the memo not only raises questions about the FBI’s handling of sensitive religious matters but also underscores the importance of upholding constitutional rights and preventing government overreach. As the fallout unfolds, the spotlight remains on the FBI’s accountability and the need for transparency in addressing this glaring misstep.
