Graham says FBI chief “committed to being useful” to Trump criticism

Sen. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamRon Johnson signals some GOP senators worried about probes in Obama-era Democrats raise warnings on Russian election platform Hillicon Valley on: Facebook clears more than 22 million hate speech messages in second-quarter Republicans introduce bill to to defend universities against hackers targeting COVID-19 research | Facebook’s Sandberg supports Harris as VP pick MORE (RS.C.) offered public support to FBI Director Christopher Wray on Thursday, hours after President TrumpDonald John TrumpNew Bob Woodward book will contain details of 25 personal letters between Trump and Kim Jong Un On The Money: Pelosi, Mnuchin talk, but make no progress on ending stalemate | Trump seizes ‘third track’ of policy with payroll tax break | Trump uses racist tropes to repeat honest housing to ‘suburban housewife’. Biden commemorates anniversary of Charlottesville’s ‘Unite the Right’ rally: ‘We are in a battle for the soul of our nation’ MORE appeared to be seeking distance from the bureau chief.

Graham, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said in a statement that he had spoken with Wray about cooperating with the probe of the panel in ‘Crossfire Hurricane’ – the FBI’s investigation into Russian election interference, previous special advice Robert MuellerToobin by Robert (Bob) MuellerCNN warns McCabe is in ‘dangerous condition’ with embedded Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone calling Clinton-Lynch asphalt meeting The Hill’s 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MOREhis next probe and the court linked to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

“I believe the Director has a duty to be helpful – in an appropriate manner – by balancing the needs of privacy for Office staff with public transparency for the benefit of the American people,” Graham said, adding that she had a “very good discussion.”

The FBI director said, according to Graham, that he was committed “to being held accountable for those who may have committed breaches of law or policy,” but that he would also postpone an ongoing investigation conducted by the U.S. Attorney John DurhamJohn DurhamThe Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Negotiators signal relief stick, not dead 4 reasons why Trump cannot be fired – nor ‘Unmasking’ Steele dossier source: Has confidentiality ever been part of the deal? MORE, who was appointed by Attorney General William Barr to verify the origin of the Russian probe.

Graham’s statement comes as Wray has come under criticism in recent months from several GOP lawmakers, including top Trump allies.

Trump was asked Thursday during an interview with Fox Business if he thought Wray was hiding information about the Probe in Russia and if he would step down.

Instead of responding immediately, Trump said Wray was seized by a “certain person” – despite being the Trump who appointed him to the job in 2017, with the House of Representatives appointing him in a 92 -5 vote confirmed – and the president said he wished Wray was “more forthcoming.”

“That, Christopher Wray was placed there. We have an election coming up,” Trump said. “I wish he had arrived more. That he certainly has not been. There are documents they want to get and that we have said we want to get. We will find out if he will give those documents.”

“He has been very, very protective. He was put there for good reason,” Trump continued. “He was chosen by a certain person, and I said, ‘Go ahead, say who you want. I’m so honest I said you can put anyone you want. Let’s see how Wray does it. “He’s going to turn out one way or the other.”

Two GOP chairmen – Graham and Sen. Ron JohnsonRonald (Ron) Harold JohnsonRon Johnson signals some GOP senators worried about his probes in the Obama-era Democrats spread warnings over Russian election agent Hillicon Valley: Facebook deleted more than 22 million messages for hate speech in the second quarter | Republicans Introduce Bill to Defend Universities Against Hackers Targeting COVID-19 Research | Facebook’s Sandberg supports Harris as VP pick MORE (Wis.), The head of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs – pressured the FBI for information as part of its separate probes in the investigation by the FBI and the Justice Department of Obama and the FBI .

Johnson briefed the FBI on documents, with broad approval he received from Republicans on the Homeland Security panel in June, saying he was “out of patience.”

That includes all the records previously given to Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz as part of his review of the four FISA warrants against former Trump campaign aide Carter Page.

Graham sent a letter to Wray this week about a 2018 briefing in which a controversial 2016 investigative dossier was compiled about then-candidate Donald Trump delivering the FBI to the Senate Intelligence Committee, of which Graham is not a member.

As part of his letter, Graham asked Wray to provide the names of officials who drafted the intelligence commission’s broadcast and translated documents used to prepare the scheme. He also wants to know who attended the briefing, and copies of all the documents used to brief any congressional committees or legislators about the dossier, the applications page scrutiny confirmation or the FBI investigation into Russia’s election campaign and the Trump campaign .