EFTA00160590.pdf

From: "Milhoan, Catherine L. (OPA) (FBI)" To: FBI SAC's <FBI SACs®ic.fbi.gov>,' Cc: Subject: Director Wray testimony to SJC Date: Tue, 05 Dec 2023 21:34:22 +0000 Importance: Normal Attachments: Senate_Judiciary_Cotrunittee_Hearing_on_FBI_Oversight_-_12.05.2023.docx; FBI_Director_Christopher_Wrayn Senate_Judiciary_Cotrunittee_12.05.2023.pdf; 12.05.23_Director's_Opening_Statement_for_SJC_Hearing.docx ADICs and SACs, Today, Director Wray testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Attached you will find his Statement for the Record, Opening Statement, and hearing transcript. There has also been limited media coverage on a report issued late yesterday by the House Judiciary Committee and its Weaponization Select Subcommittee. The following is the FBI's on the record response to media on that topic. "Any characterization that the FBI is targeting Catholics is false. The interviews of the priest and choir director highlighted by the committee's report were conducted by FBI Richmond during an investigation of an individual threatening violence who has since been arrested. The interviews were not conducted for the domain perspective as characterized by the report. We have stated repeatedly that the intelligence product prepared by one FBI field office did not meet the exacting standards of the FBI and was quickly removed from FBI systems. An internal review conducted by the FBI found no malicious intent to target Catholics or members of any other religious faith, and did not identify any investigative steps taken as a result of the product. The FBI is committed to upholding the constitutional rights of all Americans and we do not conduct investigations based solely on First Amendment protected activity, including religious practices. The FBI investigates violence, threats of violence, and violations of federal law. We have provided hundreds of pages of documents and briefings to the Committee to address our findings and the numerous actions we are taking to address identified shortcomings." Thanks, Cathy Cathy L. Milhoan Assistant Director FBI Office of Public Affairs (202) 324-5352 EFTA00160590