Josh Hawley, a Republican Missouri Senator, pressed FBI Deputy director Paul Abate to release a document that allegedly showed President Joe Biden’s involvement in a pay for play scheme.
Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley stated Monday that a recorded phone conversation was used by a “foreign citizen” as “insurance,” who allegedly bribed Joe Biden, then Vice President of the United States, and Hunter Biden. In a letter sent in May, Grassley and House Oversight Chair James Comer asked the FBI to hand over a document allegedly detailing an alleged bribery plot. Comer and a few colleagues reviewed the unclassified FD-1023 document in June at a secure facility.
Grassley stated that there were 17 total recordings.
Tennessee Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn questioned Abate about the release of the documents, and Abate claimed that it was a “question of death or life.”
Hawley immediately followed up with “Explain”, asking for clarification.
It could be a matter of life or death in terms of the source.
Hawley replied, “Now we have confirmed the existence of this document.” “That’s a big step forward because the FBI director originally denied its existence. Why did he act that way?”
Abate said, “We already acknowledged and admitted the existence of documents.”
“Yeah, after you first denied it. One member of the committee has read it. Right, the FBI Director. Let’s get the facts straight. The FBI director said that it didn’t exist. Sen. Grassley then said ‘I have read it.’ Finally, he said – “Oh, well, gotcha, I guess it exists.” Now you’re back and forth asking members of the committee what it contains, why don’t you release it? “Is it classified?”
Abate stated that the document was not classified.