In a recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Senator Josh Hawley engaged in a heated exchange with FBI Director Christopher Wray regarding the agency’s investigation into certain Catholics as potential domestic terrorists. Hawley’s questions were prompted by a report released by the House Judiciary Committee and the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, which raised concerns about the FBI’s treatment of Catholic Americans.
The House committee’s report highlighted an internal memo from the FBI’s Richmond office titled “Interest of Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremists in Radical-Traditionalist Catholic Ideology Almost Certainly Presents New Mitigation Opportunities.” It suggested that the FBI had been investigating Catholics based on their religious beliefs and proposed developing sources among the Catholic clergy and church leadership. The memo also mentioned interviews with a priest and choir director affiliated with a Catholic church in Richmond, Virginia.
The FBI, however, denied the characterization that they were targeting Catholics. According to the agency, the interviews of the priest and choir director were conducted during an investigation of an individual threatening violence, who has since been arrested. The FBI maintained that the interviews were not conducted from a biased perspective and that there was no malicious intent to target Catholics or any other religious faith.
The House Judiciary Committee spokesman, Russell Dye, disputed the FBI’s denial and stood by the committee’s findings. Dye argued that evidence showed the memo was distributed around the country, and FBI employees at all levels did not see any concerns with its contents or portrayal of faithful Americans. Dye concluded that the FBI’s actions were inexcusable.
The committee’s report also pointed out that the original memo’s basis relied on a single investigation in the Richmond Field Office’s area, where the subject described themselves as a “radical-traditionalist Catholic.” However, the report found that FBI employees could not define the meaning of this term, yet it became the basis for warning about the dangers of “radical” Catholics.
The report further revealed that investigations into Catholic organizations in Los Angeles and Portland fed into the Richmond office memo, and FBI Milwaukee was also involved. Director Wray, however, stated during the Senate hearing that the involvement of other field offices was minimal and that they only provided feedback on specific sentences related to their cases.
The committee’s report alleged that the FBI singled out Americans who are pro-life, pro-family, and support the biological basis for sex and gender distinction as potential domestic terrorists. These findings have raised concerns about the agency’s categorization and treatment of certain groups based on their beliefs.
As the FBI faces scrutiny over its handling of the investigation into Catholics, questions arise regarding the agency’s respect for constitutional rights and the potential for bias within its ranks. The controversy surrounding this issue highlights the need for transparency and accountability in law enforcement agencies.
