Newly released emails indicate that the FBI withheld an intelligence report ahead of the 2020 presidential election that included allegations of Chinese government involvement in producing fraudulent documents potentially tied to mail-in voting. The revelation comes following a records release to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), prompted by whistleblower disclosures.
According to internal communications made public on Tuesday, the FBI’s Albany, New York, field office submitted an Intelligence Information Report (IIR) on September 25, 2020, which included information from a confidential human source. The source claimed the Chinese government was producing “tens of thousands” of counterfeit driver’s licenses to facilitate fraudulent mail-in votes for then-candidate Joe Biden.
However, the report was recalled shortly after submission. Internal emails reviewed by the Senate Judiciary Committee suggest that FBI headquarters directed the recall, citing concerns that the intelligence could be seen as contradictory to public statements previously made by then-FBI Director Christopher Wray.
On September 24, 2020—one day before the Albany report was filed—Wray testified before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, saying, “We have not seen historically any kind of coordinated national voter fraud effort in a major election, whether it is by mail or otherwise.”
A three-page cover letter from FBI Assistant Director Marshall Yates, included with the documents provided to Grassley, acknowledged that a reason given for the report’s suppression was that it would contradict Wray’s testimony. According to the letter, some FBI analysts in the Albany office objected to the decision, raising concerns about the implications of withholding intelligence for political reasons. Internal emails included in the release reflected frustration from Albany staff, who emphasized that analysts should not tailor intelligence conclusions to match public statements.
In addition, the FBI disclosed that the allegations in the report were never fully investigated and that access to the report was restricted within the broader intelligence community.
Senator Grassley issued a strong public statement following the release, condemning the FBI’s actions a failure of its core mission.
“These records smack of political decision-making and prove the Wray-led FBI to be a deeply broken institution,” Grassley said. “Ahead of a high-stakes election happening amid an unprecedented global pandemic, the FBI turned its back on its national security mission.”
He further stated, “One way or the other, intelligence must be fully investigated to determine whether it’s true or if it’s just smoke and mirrors. Chris Wray’s FBI wasn’t looking out for the American people—it was looking to save its own image.”
Grassley also praised Director Kash Patel for his cooperation in providing transparency and encouraged steps toward restoring public trust in the bureau.
The emails and documents released to Grassley raise renewed questions about the handling of election-related intelligence in the lead-up to the 2020 vote. Whether further investigation or official response will follow remains to be seen.
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BIG question! Why isn’t Christopher Wray in prison?
The fact that the bureau has so much unchecked power is itself a major concern but ‘perhaps’ even more concerning should be that there are insufficient internal checks and balances – aka oversight. This lack sets up a culture that not only allows such behavior but in far too many instances even encourages it.
“a reason given for the report’s suppression was that it would contradict Wray’s testimony.”
Let’s be clear, this is a cover-up of a crime. Perjury is a crime, and Wray is guilty of committing this crime.
Have you caught on yet ot the fact that the FBI has become terminally corrupt at the managmeent levels?
Wray Ned’s to be buried so deep in a Federal prison that he never sees the light of day again!