FBI Director Under Scrutiny for Alleged Inconsistencies in Testimony on Anti-Catholic Memo

FBI Director Accused of Lying Under Oath

FBI Director Christopher Wray is facing accusations of lying under oath after it was discovered that multiple field offices were involved in investigating traditional Catholics as potential domestic terrorists. Wray had previously testified that only one field office was involved in producing an anti-Catholic memo. House GOP lawmakers have raised concerns about the accuracy of Wray's testimony.

Testimony and Leaked Memo

FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before the House Judiciary Committee on July 12. During the hearing, he mentioned that a document containing ideologically biased information from sources like the Southern Poverty Law Center was leaked from the FBI Richmond Field Office. The document specifically referred to "racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists in radical-traditionalist Catholic ideology." Wray stated that upon discovering the memo, he promptly had it removed from the FBI's system.

Subpoena and Coordination Allegations

Lawmakers have subpoenaed the FBI to produce a document with fewer redactions, which allegedly shows coordination between the agency and a liaison contact in the FBI's Portland Field Office. The document also includes reporting from the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office. This development comes two weeks after FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before Congress.

Accusations of Infringement on First Amendment Rights

Rep. Jim Jordan, the chair of the House Judiciary Committee, has written a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray, stating that new information indicates the FBI's infringement on Americans' First Amendment rights is more extensive than previously believed. Jordan accuses Wray of providing inconsistent testimony before the committee.

Investigation Initiated

A committee has initiated an investigation into the FBI following the release of a document by whistleblower Kyle Seraphin. The document describes a group called Radical-Traditional Catholics, who reject the Second Vatican Council and hold negative views towards popes elected since Vatican II. The group is also known for promoting anti-Semitic, anti-immigrant, anti-LGBTQ, and white supremacy ideologies.

FBI Denies Discriminatory Practices

FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before Congress in March, stating that a memo that suggested the FBI conducts investigations based on religious affiliation or practices does not reflect FBI standards. He emphasized that the FBI does not engage in such discriminatory practices. Wray also mentioned that the FBI has initiated an internal investigation to understand how the memo was created and to prevent similar incidents in the future.

New Document and Investigation Details

The new document, written by Jordan, cites information from an FBI Portland liaison contact with indirect access. The contact informed on a deceased racially or ethnically motivated violent extremist (RMVE) subject who initially sought out a mainline Roman Catholic community and later gravitated towards the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX).

According to the provided information, an FBI undercover employee reported on a subject who had attended a church affiliated with the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) in California for over a year before relocating. The FBI's Los Angeles Field Office then initiated an investigation on this subject.

Monitoring Parishioners and Combating Domestic Terrorism

The article discusses the revelation made by Congressman Jim Jordan regarding the testimony of FBI Director Christopher Wray. Jordan raises concerns about the accuracy, completeness, and truthfulness of Wray's testimony and questions why certain information was allegedly redacted in previous versions of a document requested by the Committee. The article also mentions that internal documents revealed at least one undercover FBI employee had sought to monitor parishioners in Catholic houses of worship to combat domestic terrorism using tripwire and sources.