Documents unveiled by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) present evidence that contradicts former FBI Director Christopher Wray’s assertion regarding a controversial memo that targeted “radical traditionalist Catholics.” In a statement to Congress in July 2023, Wray claimed that the memo, which suggested a connection between Catholics opposing abortion and potential extremist threats, originated from a single field office and was an isolated incident.
However, the newly released FBI files indicate that the bureau produced at least 13 additional documents and five attachments that contain anti-Catholic language, as well as a second memo intended to update the Richmond Field Office’s case against these groups. Grassley emphasized in a letter to current FBI Director Kash Patel that Wray’s portrayal of the memo’s creation and dissemination was misleading, as it failed to mention the broader scope of the documents and the existence of a draft intended for external distribution to the entire FBI.
The supplemental findings reveal that the initial memo was disseminated widely, impacting over 1,000 FBI employees nationwide in February 2023. Grassley expressed concern that this might have led field offices to monitor groups based on questionable sources utilized in the memo, thereby placing unjust suspicion on certain communities. Furthermore, collaboration among various FBI offices, including those in Louisville, Portland, and Milwaukee, during the memo’s drafting process contravenes Wray’s claims of it being a unique endeavor.
Grassley, alongside numerous critics, has condemned the FBI’s reliance on classifications from the Southern Poverty Law Center, which labels certain groups as “hate groups.” He is committed to investigating the circumstances surrounding the Richmond memo and the cultural issues within the FBI that allowed such documents to be approved.
This situation highlights ongoing discourse about the balance between national security and the protection of religious freedoms, emphasizing the need for thorough oversight and accountability within federal agencies. As the investigation unfolds, it provides an opportunity for greater transparency and can pave the way for reforms that ensure respectful discourse and understanding among diverse communities in the nation.