The House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) has issued new subpoenas to the FBI, demanding information about the agency’s alleged source development targeting Catholic churches in Richmond, Virginia. The move is part of the new Weaponization committee’s efforts to investigate the FBI, which has faced scrutiny for its handling of the Hunter Biden laptop story and alleged bias in government investigations of school board protesters.
According to Jordan, the FBI “relied on at least one undercover agent to produce its analysis” and “proposed that its agents engage in outreach to Catholic parishes to develop sources among the clergy and church leadership to inform on Americans practicing their faith.” The committee has sent multiple letters to the FBI asking for information on a memo that was reported on largely by conservative and religious outlets earlier this year. The memo allegedly cited concerns about “radical-traditionalist Catholic ideology” and suggested developing sources in local parishes.
At a hearing last month before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Attorney General Merrick Garland called the memo “appalling,” adding that the FBI withdrew it. However, this is not the first time questions have been raised over the FBI targeting certain religious groups. In 2011, three Muslim Americans sued the agency, claiming it violated the Constitution and federal laws by spying on their communities based on their religion.
The subpoenas issued by Jordan are a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the FBI’s actions. The committee is using several angles to investigate the FBI, including its handling of the Hunter Biden laptop story and alleged bias in government investigations of school board protesters. The committee’s track record of pursuing controversial issues suggests that this will not be the last we hear about the FBI’s alleged targeting of religious groups. It remains to be seen how the agency will respond and what further information the committee will uncover.
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