Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is facing criticism from Democrats and critics for releasing a partially redacted document alleging Biden family corruption and bribery. On the other hand, conservatives applaud his decision as a display of transparency.
Grassley has built a reputation in investigative matters and is known for his advocacy on behalf of whistleblower protections. However, his recent release of the document to the FBI has raised concerns about his commitment to those protections. The FBI has warned that the release jeopardizes the safety of the confidential source who claims that the Bidens received $10 million in payments from a Ukrainian oligarch.
Kris Kolesnik, Grassley’s former senior counselor and director of investigations, has criticized his recent actions. Kolesnik believes that Grassley’s decision to release the document goes against his previous oversight work and legacy. Grassley’s move has surprised many, considering his past efforts against the Reagan administration.
The document released by Grassley and House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) includes information from an FBI informant, who met with the CEO of Ukrainian energy company Burisma in 2016. The informant claimed that he made $5 million payments to the Bidens, although he did not specify the recipients. The document does not make any assessments on the truthfulness of the allegations.
The informant also alleged that there are audiotapes involving both Joe Biden and Hunter Biden. However, Republicans have questioned the existence of these tapes. To date, there is no evidence linking President Biden to any payments or Hunter Biden’s foreign work, and the White House has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
Grassley defended his decision to release the document, citing transparency as the primary motivation. His office claims that the document was obtained legally and downplays the FBI’s concerns regarding the safety of the confidential human source.
Despite Grassley’s assertions, Democrats are intensifying their attacks on what they view as unfounded claims. They argue that the document does not provide any new evidence to support allegations against President Biden or Hunter Biden and accuse Grassley and Comer of disregarding the safety of FBI sources and compromising investigation integrity.
Grassley’s work on whistleblower protections has been highly regarded, specifically by Empower Oversight, an organization of lawyers that includes former Grassley investigatory staffers. However, recently, his work has become increasingly politicized and drawn criticism for straying into the realm of politics.
Grassley’s spokesperson dismissed claims made by Kolesnik and emphasized that Grassley calls the shots on his investigations. Grassley’s office maintains that his actions are motivated by concerns that politics has negatively affected law enforcement agencies, and ignoring these claims would be a failure of his constitutional oversight responsibility.
Supporters of Grassley argue that his track record should speak for itself and that he has a history of being measured and well-informed. They believe that if Grassley is focusing on a particular subject, there is a valid reason for it.
Politically, Grassley faces little pressure to change his investigatory course. He recently won his eighth term with a comfortable margin, and Republicans in his home state believe that his legacy is secure. The recent document release does not seem to have significantly impacted Iowans’ attention, as their focus remains on other issues such as the special legislative session on abortion and the influx of 2024 Republican presidential candidates.