Continuing their habit from weeks prior when the news first broke, the big three evening news broadcasts ignored Tuesday’s development that FBI Director Christopher Wray blew off Congress’s deadline for him to turn over documents relating to the investigation into allegations that then-Vice President Joe Biden was involved in a bribery scheme.
If this allegation was alleged at former President Donald Trump, all three networks (ABC’s World News Tonight, CBS Evening News, and NBC Nightly News) would’ve led with the story with their own accusations that Wray was helping cover something up. But instead, the three news outlets kicked off their respective newscasts with a report on an apartment building collapse in Iowa.
During Fox News Channel’s Special Report, correspondent Gillian Turner came on the air with an update that House Republican Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) issued a statement that “the FBI says it will not be turning over the documents subpoenaed by the committee,” and that the FBI’s refusal to cooperate with Congress is “obstructionist and unacceptable.”
Turner also reported that House Republicans were “making good on Speaker McCarthy’s threat to hold FBI Director Wray in contempt of Congress.”
In a statement explaining their obstruction, the FBI said that their “mission is to protect the American people. Releasing confidential source information could potentially jeopardize investigations and put lives at risk.”
Florida Republican Congressman Greg Steube took it a step forward according to Turner: “Republican Congressman Greg Steube is threatening impeachment over Wray’s handling of whistleblowers who claimed to have evidence that President Biden engaged in a bribery scheme while serving as Vice President.”
Turner ended her report by noting that “anyone can level an accusation and it would be recorded in this same form. The fact of its existence does not mean the allegations are true, Mike. Or even that they're credible.”
This was not new for the liberal networks. During the scandal-ridden Obama administration, the networks frequently ignored news of administration officials being held in contempt of Congress. Most notably corrupt Attorney General Eric Holder and then-IRS official Lois Lerner.
This bias by omission from the three networks was made possible by Ensure on ABC, Salonpas on CBS, and Verizon on NBC. Their information is linked.
To read the transcript click “expand”:
FNC’s Special Report
5/30/2023
6:07:12 p.m. EasternMIKE EMANUEL: It is deadline day for the FBI. House Republicans are demanding the delivery of a document regarding a claim that President Biden may have engaged in a bribery scheme while Vice President. Correspondent Gillian Turner has the bureau's reaction tonight. Good evening, Gillian.
GILLIAN TURNER: Good evening to you, Mike. So, James Comer just updated that the FBI says it will not be turning over the documents subpoenaed by the committee. He is calling that decision obstructionist and unacceptable and making good on Speaker McCarthy’s threat to hold FBI Director Wray in contempt of Congress. The FBI earlier this afternoon told Fox News they’re working with lawmakers on the request and will continue to cooperate. Quote: The FBI's mission is to protect the American people. Releasing confidential source information could potentially jeopardize investigations and put lives at risk. House Speaker foretold Congress' next move this morning.
[cuts to video]
SPEAKER KEVIN MCCARTHY: Let me tell Director Christopher Wray right here right now. If he misses the deadline today, I am prepared to move contempt charges in Congress against him.
[cuts back to live]
TURNER: Republican Congressman Greg Steube is threatening impeachment over Wray’s handling of whistleblowers who claimed to have evidence that President Biden engaged in a bribery scheme while serving as Vice President.
[cuts to video]
REP. GREG STEUBE: There needs to be a reckoning for this. I have signed on to an impeachment bill for Director Wray.
[cuts back to live]
TURNER: It's important to note that the subpoena from Republicans is for a standard FBI interview form. It's known as an FD 1023. Anyone can level an accusation and it would be recorded in this same form. The fact of its existence does not mean the allegations are true, Mike. Or even that they're credible.
