FBI Investigation Blocked Amid Allegations of Chinese Interference in 2020 Election

FBI Investigation Blocked Amid Allegations of Chinese Interference in 2020 Election

EXCLUSIVE: Recent revelations indicate that the FBI suppressed an investigation into claims involving the Chinese Communist Party and its alleged efforts to influence the 2020 presidential election in favor of Joe Biden. Newly declassified documents obtained by Fox News Digital suggest that this blockade was put in place to prevent contradictions with then-FBI Director Christopher Wray’s congressional testimony.

Documents Highlight Internal Communications

The recently declassified records include communications among FBI officials that took place prior to the 2020 election. These were released by FBI Director Kash Patel and sent to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley.

In June, Fox News Digital reported that Patel had located and declassified the initial document alleging the Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to send fake driver’s licenses to U.S. residents sympathetic to China. The intent, according to the document, was to facilitate votes for Biden during the election. The original report did not clarify whether any ballots were actually cast as part of this alleged scheme.

Timing of the Report’s Recall

On September 25, 2020, just a day after Wray’s testimony to Congress asserting that there had been no coordinated voter fraud, the FBI decided to recall the report. They stated that this action was necessary to re-interview the source of the allegations. The FBI also instructed recipients to destroy all copies of the report and remove it from their electronic systems.

This week, Patel disclosed additional documents related to the re-interview of the source and internal FBI discussions about the decision to recall the report, as well as the reasons behind not republishing it.

Critical Letter from Assistant FBI Director

In a letter to Grassley, Assistant FBI Director Marshall Yates wrote that despite obtaining further context from the source, FBI Headquarters upheld its stance against republishing the report. Yates indicated that the primary reason given for this decision was that it would contradict Director Wray’s congressional testimony.

Fox News Digital attempted to reach Wray for comments, but received no response.

Wray’s Congressional Testimony Under Scrutiny

During his Senate testimony on September 24, 2020, Wray claimed there was no evidence of widespread mail-in voter fraud. He also stated that if such fraud existed, the FBI would investigate it thoroughly. Wray emphasized that historically, no coordinated national voter fraud effort had emerged in major elections, stating that vigilance against foreign influence was crucial.

While acknowledging the expanding influence of China, Wray expressed that the country was seeking ways to augment its foreign influence efforts.

Unpacking Abnormal Recall Procedures

Yates described the decision to recall the original reporting document as abnormal. He disclosed that personnel in the Albany office expressed disagreement over the characterization of the report as not being “authoritative.” Yates illustrated the tension between headquarters’ directives and local field offices

Grassley’s Concerns About Political Decision-Making

Grassley criticized the conduct of the FBI under Wray, stating that the records appear to be influenced by political decision-making. He expressed concern that the bureau failed to prioritize national security in light of a critical election occurring during a global pandemic.

Grassley affirmed the necessity of a thorough investigation into this intelligence to confirm its validity or disprove it altogether.

Additional Context from Internal Communications

The FBI’s response to Grassley noted that the original report’s recall was initiated by Deputy Assistant Director for Counterintelligence Nikki Floris and Tonya Ugoretz from the Cyber Division. Previous reports highlighted that Floris had informed lawmakers in August 2020 about purported Russian disinformation regarding their investigation into Hunter Biden.

Internal emails obtained by Fox News Digital revealed that many Albany staff members raised concerns that suppressing the documentation due to political implications was dangerous.

Role of Analysts in Assessing Intelligence

Yates clarified that it is not the analysts’ responsibility to align intelligence with public positions taken by FBI leadership. Analysts in the Albany office warned against the FBI acting as the sole gatekeeper for the Intelligence Community. This position could inhibit other agencies’ ability to evaluate or discredit intelligence reports.

Field Agents Voice Dissent

In an email exchange from September 30, 2020, agents voiced their apprehensions about the withholding of the report. One agent noted that the stated reasoning for not releasing the information indicated a potential political motivation, which conflicted with the FBI’s mission of remaining apolitical.

This agent highlighted the unique responsibility assigned to field office staff to provide intelligence, while leaving it to higher authorities to make decisions regarding the broader intelligence assessments.

Trust Issues within the FBI

Grassley asserted that the stance taken by Wray’s FBI was focused on protecting the agency’s image rather than serving the American public. He urged for a proactive approach towards rebuilding trust within the bureau.

Yates acknowledged that an analyst requested further research and engagement with the source, but headquarters decided against issuing a new report due to insufficient additional substantiating information.

Reliability of the Source in Question

The declassified documents suggest that the source of the intelligence was a person based in China but not affiliated with the Communist Party. In the re-interview process, he was able to partially corroborate some of the information shared.

However, the Foreign Influence Task Force cited concerns about the report’s authoritativeness and the potential for disinformation, noting no robust investigation followed the matter.

Final Thoughts on Election Interference

The original FBI investigation came amid significant instances of fraudulent documents being intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, specifically concerning almost 20,000 counterfeit driver’s licenses seized at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.

The FBI informed that emerging requirements were established for investigative protocols surrounding the 2020 election. They underscored the critical need for transparency and reiterated their ongoing investigation into the events surrounding these allegations.

Amidst all this, Grassley remains insistent on ensuring the office recommits itself to its mission while addressing vulnerabilities that exist within its current operational frameworks.