Senator Ted Cruz
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to committee Chairman Dick Durbin today calling on him to conduct a critical oversight hearing into the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s pattern of rule-breaking in sensitive investigations.
According to an audit obtained by the Washington Times, FBI agents violated agency rules at least 747 times in 18 months while conducting investigations into politicians, political candidates, religious groups, and the news media. These are exactly the types of sensitive investigations subject to meticulous compliance and oversight requirements to ensure the FBI avoided abusing its immense powers to engage in politically-motivated investigations. The number and nature of the errors reported in the audit suggest a disturbing pattern of mismanagement, misconduct, and abuses within the FBI.
In the letter, Sen. Cruz wrote:
“As the report details, of the 997 non-compliance errors made, 79% were substantial in nature, meaning they were ‘of significance to the matter and…more than a minor deviation from a … requirement.’ Notably among those is the failure to obtain authorization in opening an investigation, which is “about as radical as it gets.” Further, several portions of the audit, including those regarding investigative methods, search warrants, and recommendations were redacted, presumably to shelter the FBI from public criticism.”
“…I am concerned about Director Wray’s FBI and its pattern of stonewalling. For example, the FBI declined to provide responsive information regarding its 2016 probe of Concerned Women for America as requested by Chairman Grassley and similarly declined to provide simple answers in my recent questioning of Director Sanborne, regarding the FBI’s degree of involvement in January 6th.”
“I believe that the Senate would benefit from hearing directly from Inspector General Horowitz, FBI Director Wray, as well as any division directors with knowledge of the audit or the errors detailed in it. I, therefore, call on [Chairman Durbin] to convene a full Committee hearing, or to the extent necessary, a closed hearing of the full Committee, to ensure transparency and accountability.”
The full text of Senator Cruz’s letter can be found here.