Republicans accused U.S. law enforcement leaders Thursday of withholding important documents from them and demanded details about surveillance tactics during the Russia investigation in a contentious congressional hearing that capped days of mounting partisan complaints.

The hearing Thursday was Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein's first appearance before Congress since an internal Justice Department report that criticized the FBI's handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation and revealed disparaging text messages among FBI officials about President Donald Trump during the 2016 election.

Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee suggested the department has conspired against Trump by refusing to turn over documents they believe would show improper conduct by the FBI.

They seized on the inspector general report to allege bias against the president by the FBI and to discredit an investigation into potential ties between Russia and the Trump campaign that is now led by special counsel Robert Mueller.

"This country is being hurt by it. We are being divided," Rep. Trey Gowdy, a South Carolina Republican, said of the investigation. He later added: "Whatever you got, finish it the hell up because this country is being torn apart."

Thursday's hearing came as the House prepared to vote on a resolution that demands the department turn over thousands of documents by July 6 on FBI investigations into Clinton's private email use and Trump campaign ties to Russia.

Those documents have already been subpoenaed by the House Judiciary and intelligence committees, which want to use the records as part of multiple investigations the FBI's decision to clear Clinton in the email investigation and to open an investigation into potential coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Justice and FBI have already turned over more than 800,000 documents to congressional committees, but the subpoenas are asking for additional materials, including records about any surveillance of Trump campaign associates. Lawmakers have threatened to hold top Justice officials in contempt or impeach them if the documents aren't turned over.

Wray and Rosenstein said law enforcement officials have been working diligently to turn over the requested records, though Republicans made clear their dissatisfaction at the pace.

"We have caught you hiding information, Mr. Rosenstein," said Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio. Rosenstein strongly denied the accusation.

Republican Rep. Ron DeSantis of Florida demanded to know why Rosenstein had not recused from oversight of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into whether the president had committed obstruction of justice given Rosenstein's role in laying the groundwork for the firing of FBI Director James Comey.

Rosenstein wrote a memo last year criticizing Comey's handling of the Clinton email investigation, a document the White House initially held up as the rationale for his firing.

"I can assure you that if it were appropriate for me to recuse, I'd be more than happy to do so," Rosenstein said.

POOL

Washington - 28 June 2018

1. Various, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and FBI Director Christopher Wray walking into House Judiciary Committee hearing

2. Mid, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte opening hearing

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Trey Gowdy, R - South Carolina:

"Russia attacked this country, they should be the target but Russia isn't being hurt by this investigation right now. We are. This country is being hurt by we are being divided. We've seen the bias. We've seen the bias. We need to see the evidence. If you have evidence of wrongdoing by any member of the Trump campaign, present it to the damn grand jury. If you have evidence that this president acted inappropriately, present it to the American people. There there's an old saying that justice delayed is justice denied. I think right now, all of us are being denied. Whatever you got, finish it the hell up because this country is being torn apart."

4. Wide, side view

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Jim Jordan, R - Ohio:

"Mr. Rosenstein, why are you keeping information from Congress? (Rosenstein: I'm not keeping any information from Congress that it's appropriate ...) In a few minutes, Mr. Rosenstein, I think the House of Representatives is going to say something different."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General:

"I don't agree with you Congressman. I don't believe that's what they're going to say and if they do they'll be mistaken."

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Jim Jordan, R - Ohio:

"I think in a few minutes the House of Representatives is going to go on record saying you haven't complied with requests from a separate and equal branch of government, that you haven't complied with subpoenas and you've got seven days to get your act together."

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General:

"Sir, I certainly hope that your colleagues are not under that impression. That is not accurate sir."

9. Side view of hearing

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General:

"If you're interested in the truth Mr. Jordan, the truth is we have a team of folks. They're Trump appointees and career folks and they're doing their best to produce these documents. Director Wray explained to you the process. He's got hundreds of people working around the clock trying to satisfy these requests. So, whether you vote or not is not going to affect it. You're going to get everything that's relevant that we can find to produce to you. I support this report sir. I'm not trying to hide anything from you."

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Ron DeSantis, R - Florida:

"You know, you talk about the Mueller investigation. It's really the Rosenstein investigation. You appointed Mueller, you're supervising Mueller, and supposedly about collusion between Trump's campaign and Russia and obstruction of justice. But you wrote the memo saying that Comey should be fired and you signed the FISA extension for Carter Page. So my question is to you seems like you should be recused from this more so than Jeff Sessions, just because you were involved in making decisions affecting both prongs of this investigation. Why haven't you done that?"

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General:

"Congressman, I can assure you that were appropriate for me to recuse. I'd be more than happy to do so and let somebody else handle this. But it is my responsibility to do it."

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Shelia Jackson Lee, D - California:

"I'm almost believing that I've just attended or I'm in the midst of a monster ball and we're looking for monsters wherever we can find them."

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General:

"I've heard suggestions that we should just close the investigation. I think the best thing we can do is finish it appropriately and reach a conclusion. And I certainly agree with you sir that people should not jump to conclusions without seeing the evidence. I've been the victim of fake news attacks myself so I'm sympathetic. I agree with you sir that there's been no allegation made by the Department of Justice or the special counsel other than what's reflected in those documents that are filed publicly. The charged folks. Nobody should draw any conclusions beyond those charges."

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Steven Cohen, D - Tennessee:

"Now President Trump talks about 13 Democrats running this investigation. Do you know who he's speaking about? And if there's any way that the Justice Department or President Trump knows if these people are Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Bolsheviks?"

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General:

"I think you need to ask him sir. I do not know. (Cohen: you don't know if they're Democrats?) I do not. I do not know their political registration, no sir."

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director:

"(Cohen: Director Wray do you know any of these people's political registrations?) I'm not familiar with their political registration, no."

18. Side view of hearing

Republicans accused U.S. law enforcement leaders Thursday of withholding important documents from them and demanded details about surveillance tactics during the Russia investigation in a contentious congressional hearing that capped days of mounting partisan complaints.

The hearing Thursday was Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein's first appearance before Congress since an internal Justice Department report that criticized the FBI's handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation and revealed disparaging text messages among FBI officials about President Donald Trump during the 2016 election.

Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee suggested the department has conspired against Trump by refusing to turn over documents they believe would show improper conduct by the FBI.

They seized on the inspector general report to allege bias against the president by the FBI and to discredit an investigation into potential ties between Russia and the Trump campaign that is now led by special counsel Robert Mueller.

"This country is being hurt by it. We are being divided," Rep. Trey Gowdy, a South Carolina Republican, said of the investigation. He later added: "Whatever you got, finish it the hell up because this country is being torn apart."

Thursday's hearing came as the House prepared to vote on a resolution that demands the department turn over thousands of documents by July 6 on FBI investigations into Clinton's private email use and Trump campaign ties to Russia.

Those documents have already been subpoenaed by the House Judiciary and intelligence committees, which want to use the records as part of multiple investigations the FBI's decision to clear Clinton in the email investigation and to open an investigation into potential coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Justice and FBI have already turned over more than 800,000 documents to congressional committees, but the subpoenas are asking for additional materials, including records about any surveillance of Trump campaign associates. Lawmakers have threatened to hold top Justice officials in contempt or impeach them if the documents aren't turned over.

Wray and Rosenstein said law enforcement officials have been working diligently to turn over the requested records, though Republicans made clear their dissatisfaction at the pace.

"We have caught you hiding information, Mr. Rosenstein," said Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio. Rosenstein strongly denied the accusation.

Republican Rep. Ron DeSantis of Florida demanded to know why Rosenstein had not recused from oversight of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into whether the president had committed obstruction of justice given Rosenstein's role in laying the groundwork for the firing of FBI Director James Comey.

Rosenstein wrote a memo last year criticizing Comey's handling of the Clinton email investigation, a document the White House initially held up as the rationale for his firing.

"I can assure you that if it were appropriate for me to recuse, I'd be more than happy to do so," Rosenstein said.

POOL

Washington - 28 June 2018

1. Various, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and FBI Director Christopher Wray walking into House Judiciary Committee hearing

2. Mid, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte opening hearing

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Trey Gowdy, R - South Carolina:

"Russia attacked this country, they should be the target but Russia isn't being hurt by this investigation right now. We are. This country is being hurt by we are being divided. We've seen the bias. We've seen the bias. We need to see the evidence. If you have evidence of wrongdoing by any member of the Trump campaign, present it to the damn grand jury. If you have evidence that this president acted inappropriately, present it to the American people. There there's an old saying that justice delayed is justice denied. I think right now, all of us are being denied. Whatever you got, finish it the hell up because this country is being torn apart."

4. Wide, side view

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Jim Jordan, R - Ohio:

"Mr. Rosenstein, why are you keeping information from Congress? (Rosenstein: I'm not keeping any information from Congress that it's appropriate ...) In a few minutes, Mr. Rosenstein, I think the House of Representatives is going to say something different."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General:

"I don't agree with you Congressman. I don't believe that's what they're going to say and if they do they'll be mistaken."

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Jim Jordan, R - Ohio:

"I think in a few minutes the House of Representatives is going to go on record saying you haven't complied with requests from a separate and equal branch of government, that you haven't complied with subpoenas and you've got seven days to get your act together."

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General:

"Sir, I certainly hope that your colleagues are not under that impression. That is not accurate sir."

9. Side view of hearing

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General:

"If you're interested in the truth Mr. Jordan, the truth is we have a team of folks. They're Trump appointees and career folks and they're doing their best to produce these documents. Director Wray explained to you the process. He's got hundreds of people working around the clock trying to satisfy these requests. So, whether you vote or not is not going to affect it. You're going to get everything that's relevant that we can find to produce to you. I support this report sir. I'm not trying to hide anything from you."

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Ron DeSantis, R - Florida:

"You know, you talk about the Mueller investigation. It's really the Rosenstein investigation. You appointed Mueller, you're supervising Mueller, and supposedly about collusion between Trump's campaign and Russia and obstruction of justice. But you wrote the memo saying that Comey should be fired and you signed the FISA extension for Carter Page. So my question is to you seems like you should be recused from this more so than Jeff Sessions, just because you were involved in making decisions affecting both prongs of this investigation. Why haven't you done that?"

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General:

"Congressman, I can assure you that were appropriate for me to recuse. I'd be more than happy to do so and let somebody else handle this. But it is my responsibility to do it."

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Shelia Jackson Lee, D - California:

"I'm almost believing that I've just attended or I'm in the midst of a monster ball and we're looking for monsters wherever we can find them."

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General:

"I've heard suggestions that we should just close the investigation. I think the best thing we can do is finish it appropriately and reach a conclusion. And I certainly agree with you sir that people should not jump to conclusions without seeing the evidence. I've been the victim of fake news attacks myself so I'm sympathetic. I agree with you sir that there's been no allegation made by the Department of Justice or the special counsel other than what's reflected in those documents that are filed publicly. The charged folks. Nobody should draw any conclusions beyond those charges."

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Steven Cohen, D - Tennessee:

"Now President Trump talks about 13 Democrats running this investigation. Do you know who he's speaking about? And if there's any way that the Justice Department or President Trump knows if these people are Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Bolsheviks?"

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General:

"I think you need to ask him sir. I do not know. (Cohen: you don't know if they're Democrats?) I do not. I do not know their political registration, no sir."

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director:

"(Cohen: Director Wray do you know any of these people's political registrations?) I'm not familiar with their political registration, no."

18. Side view of hearing

Republicans accused U.S. law enforcement leaders Thursday of withholding important documents from them and demanded details about surveillance tactics during the Russia investigation in a contentious congressional hearing that capped days of mounting partisan complaints.

The hearing Thursday was Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein's first appearance before Congress since an internal Justice Department report that criticized the FBI's handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation and revealed disparaging text messages among FBI officials about President Donald Trump during the 2016 election.

Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee suggested the department has conspired against Trump by refusing to turn over documents they believe would show improper conduct by the FBI.

They seized on the inspector general report to allege bias against the president by the FBI and to discredit an investigation into potential ties between Russia and the Trump campaign that is now led by special counsel Robert Mueller.

"This country is being hurt by it. We are being divided," Rep. Trey Gowdy, a South Carolina Republican, said of the investigation. He later added: "Whatever you got, finish it the hell up because this country is being torn apart."

Thursday's hearing came as the House prepared to vote on a resolution that demands the department turn over thousands of documents by July 6 on FBI investigations into Clinton's private email use and Trump campaign ties to Russia.

Those documents have already been subpoenaed by the House Judiciary and intelligence committees, which want to use the records as part of multiple investigations the FBI's decision to clear Clinton in the email investigation and to open an investigation into potential coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Justice and FBI have already turned over more than 800,000 documents to congressional committees, but the subpoenas are asking for additional materials, including records about any surveillance of Trump campaign associates. Lawmakers have threatened to hold top Justice officials in contempt or impeach them if the documents aren't turned over.

Wray and Rosenstein said law enforcement officials have been working diligently to turn over the requested records, though Republicans made clear their dissatisfaction at the pace.

"We have caught you hiding information, Mr. Rosenstein," said Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio. Rosenstein strongly denied the accusation.

Republican Rep. Ron DeSantis of Florida demanded to know why Rosenstein had not recused from oversight of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into whether the president had committed obstruction of justice given Rosenstein's role in laying the groundwork for the firing of FBI Director James Comey.

Rosenstein wrote a memo last year criticizing Comey's handling of the Clinton email investigation, a document the White House initially held up as the rationale for his firing.

"I can assure you that if it were appropriate for me to recuse, I'd be more than happy to do so," Rosenstein said.

POOL

Washington - 28 June 2018

1. Various, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and FBI Director Christopher Wray walking into House Judiciary Committee hearing

2. Mid, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte opening hearing

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Trey Gowdy, R - South Carolina:

"Russia attacked this country, they should be the target but Russia isn't being hurt by this investigation right now. We are. This country is being hurt by we are being divided. We've seen the bias. We've seen the bias. We need to see the evidence. If you have evidence of wrongdoing by any member of the Trump campaign, present it to the damn grand jury. If you have evidence that this president acted inappropriately, present it to the American people. There there's an old saying that justice delayed is justice denied. I think right now, all of us are being denied. Whatever you got, finish it the hell up because this country is being torn apart."

4. Wide, side view

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Jim Jordan, R - Ohio:

"Mr. Rosenstein, why are you keeping information from Congress? (Rosenstein: I'm not keeping any information from Congress that it's appropriate ...) In a few minutes, Mr. Rosenstein, I think the House of Representatives is going to say something different."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General:

"I don't agree with you Congressman. I don't believe that's what they're going to say and if they do they'll be mistaken."

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Jim Jordan, R - Ohio:

"I think in a few minutes the House of Representatives is going to go on record saying you haven't complied with requests from a separate and equal branch of government, that you haven't complied with subpoenas and you've got seven days to get your act together."

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General:

"Sir, I certainly hope that your colleagues are not under that impression. That is not accurate sir."

9. Side view of hearing

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General:

"If you're interested in the truth Mr. Jordan, the truth is we have a team of folks. They're Trump appointees and career folks and they're doing their best to produce these documents. Director Wray explained to you the process. He's got hundreds of people working around the clock trying to satisfy these requests. So, whether you vote or not is not going to affect it. You're going to get everything that's relevant that we can find to produce to you. I support this report sir. I'm not trying to hide anything from you."

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Ron DeSantis, R - Florida:

"You know, you talk about the Mueller investigation. It's really the Rosenstein investigation. You appointed Mueller, you're supervising Mueller, and supposedly about collusion between Trump's campaign and Russia and obstruction of justice. But you wrote the memo saying that Comey should be fired and you signed the FISA extension for Carter Page. So my question is to you seems like you should be recused from this more so than Jeff Sessions, just because you were involved in making decisions affecting both prongs of this investigation. Why haven't you done that?"

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General:

"Congressman, I can assure you that were appropriate for me to recuse. I'd be more than happy to do so and let somebody else handle this. But it is my responsibility to do it."

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Shelia Jackson Lee, D - California:

"I'm almost believing that I've just attended or I'm in the midst of a monster ball and we're looking for monsters wherever we can find them."

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General:

"I've heard suggestions that we should just close the investigation. I think the best thing we can do is finish it appropriately and reach a conclusion. And I certainly agree with you sir that people should not jump to conclusions without seeing the evidence. I've been the victim of fake news attacks myself so I'm sympathetic. I agree with you sir that there's been no allegation made by the Department of Justice or the special counsel other than what's reflected in those documents that are filed publicly. The charged folks. Nobody should draw any conclusions beyond those charges."

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Steven Cohen, D - Tennessee:

"Now President Trump talks about 13 Democrats running this investigation. Do you know who he's speaking about? And if there's any way that the Justice Department or President Trump knows if these people are Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Bolsheviks?"

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General:

"I think you need to ask him sir. I do not know. (Cohen: you don't know if they're Democrats?) I do not. I do not know their political registration, no sir."

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director:

"(Cohen: Director Wray do you know any of these people's political registrations?) I'm not familiar with their political registration, no."

18. Side view of hearing

FBI director nominee Christopher Wray says he would lead the agency "without fear, without favoritism and certainly without regard to political influence."

Wray's statement came after Sen. Chuck Grassley asked how he viewed the independence of the FBI and its director. He says the American public rightly expects that commitment.

He says there's only one right way to lead the FBI, and that's with "strict independence" and by being faithful to the Constitution.

Some lawmakers will want assurances that he will be able to be independent from the White House after President Donald Trump is said to have asked for a loyalty pledge before firing former director James Comey.

Wray also testified that attempts to tamper with a special counsel investigation into Russian election meddling would be "unacceptable."

Wray's comments came under questioning by Sen. Dianne Feinstein about special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.

During questioning from Sen. Feinstein, Wray says he also never discussed Comey or his abrupt dismissal with the Justice Department or the FBI.

Wray says the issue only came up once, when Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein told him he had appointed Robert Mueller as special counsel to oversee the investigation into Trump campaign ties to Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. That happened after Comey's firing.

POOL

Washington - 12 July 2017

1. Various of Christopher Wray appearing at confirmation hearing for FBI director

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"I believe to my core that there's only one right way to do this job and that is with strict independence by the book, playing it straight, faithful to the constitution, faithful to our laws and faithful to the best practices of the institution, without fear, without favoritism and certainly without regard to any partisan political influence. That's the commitment that I brought to my years to duty as a line prosecutor, that's the commitment that I brought to my time as the head of the criminal division, that's the commitment that I think the American people rightly respect of the FBI director. That's the commitment I would make to this committee and the country, if confirmed. And I have way, way, way too much respect and affection frankly for the men and women of the FBI to do anything less than that. And I would just say anybody who thinks that I would be pulling punches as the FBI Director sure doesn't know me very well."

3. Sen. Dianne Feinstein asking Wray if he discussed firing of former FBI Director James Comey with anyone at White House

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"Sen. Feinstein, I did not discuss those topics at all with anyone in the White House. My only discussion at all was Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein making the observation to me at the time that I was first contacted about this position by him, by Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein was that now Special Counsel Mueller had been appointed to deal with that issue and that that in effect made for a better landscape for me to consider taking on this position."

5. Feinstein asking question

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"My view is that torture is wrong. It's unacceptable. It's illegal and I think it's ineffective. Second, let me say that I know ... Both of my predecessors, Director Comey and Director Mueller, had a policy which I think is the right policy and I would expect to continue, that the FBI is going to play no part in the use of any techniques of that sort."

7. Various of hearing

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"I'm very committed to supporting Director Mueller in the special counsel investigation in whatever way is appropriate for me to do that. I worked closely with Director Mueller in my past government service. I view him as the consummate straight shooter and someone who I have enormous respect for and I would be pleased to do what I can to support him in his mission."

9. Sen. Feinstein asking question UPSOUND: (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California: "What I'm asking is if you learn about any machinations to tamper with that (special counsel probe) that you let this committee know. (Understood.) If you want to say more, I'm happy to hear. "

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"I would consult with the appropriate officials. Anytime talking to this committee, I would consult with the appropriate officials to make sure that I'm not jeopardizing the investigation or anything like that but I would consider an effort to tamper with Director Mueller's investigation to be unacceptable and inappropriate and would need to be dealt with very sternly and appropriately, indeed."

11. Various of hearing

FBI director nominee Christopher Wray says he would lead the agency "without fear, without favoritism and certainly without regard to political influence."

Wray's statement came after Sen. Chuck Grassley asked how he viewed the independence of the FBI and its director. He says the American public rightly expects that commitment.

He says there's only one right way to lead the FBI, and that's with "strict independence" and by being faithful to the Constitution.

Some lawmakers will want assurances that he will be able to be independent from the White House after President Donald Trump is said to have asked for a loyalty pledge before firing former director James Comey.

Wray also testified that attempts to tamper with a special counsel investigation into Russian election meddling would be "unacceptable."

Wray's comments came under questioning by Sen. Dianne Feinstein about special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.

During questioning from Sen. Feinstein, Wray says he also never discussed Comey or his abrupt dismissal with the Justice Department or the FBI.

Wray says the issue only came up once, when Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein told him he had appointed Robert Mueller as special counsel to oversee the investigation into Trump campaign ties to Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. That happened after Comey's firing.

POOL

Washington - 12 July 2017

1. Various of Christopher Wray appearing at confirmation hearing for FBI director

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"I believe to my core that there's only one right way to do this job and that is with strict independence by the book, playing it straight, faithful to the constitution, faithful to our laws and faithful to the best practices of the institution, without fear, without favoritism and certainly without regard to any partisan political influence. That's the commitment that I brought to my years to duty as a line prosecutor, that's the commitment that I brought to my time as the head of the criminal division, that's the commitment that I think the American people rightly respect of the FBI director. That's the commitment I would make to this committee and the country, if confirmed. And I have way, way, way too much respect and affection frankly for the men and women of the FBI to do anything less than that. And I would just say anybody who thinks that I would be pulling punches as the FBI Director sure doesn't know me very well."

3. Sen. Dianne Feinstein asking Wray if he discussed firing of former FBI Director James Comey with anyone at White House

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"Sen. Feinstein, I did not discuss those topics at all with anyone in the White House. My only discussion at all was Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein making the observation to me at the time that I was first contacted about this position by him, by Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein was that now Special Counsel Mueller had been appointed to deal with that issue and that that in effect made for a better landscape for me to consider taking on this position."

5. Feinstein asking question

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"My view is that torture is wrong. It's unacceptable. It's illegal and I think it's ineffective. Second, let me say that I know ... Both of my predecessors, Director Comey and Director Mueller, had a policy which I think is the right policy and I would expect to continue, that the FBI is going to play no part in the use of any techniques of that sort."

7. Various of hearing

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"I'm very committed to supporting Director Mueller in the special counsel investigation in whatever way is appropriate for me to do that. I worked closely with Director Mueller in my past government service. I view him as the consummate straight shooter and someone who I have enormous respect for and I would be pleased to do what I can to support him in his mission."

9. Sen. Feinstein asking question UPSOUND: (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California: "What I'm asking is if you learn about any machinations to tamper with that (special counsel probe) that you let this committee know. (Understood.) If you want to say more, I'm happy to hear. "

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"I would consult with the appropriate officials. Anytime talking to this committee, I would consult with the appropriate officials to make sure that I'm not jeopardizing the investigation or anything like that but I would consider an effort to tamper with Director Mueller's investigation to be unacceptable and inappropriate and would need to be dealt with very sternly and appropriately, indeed."

11. Various of hearing

FBI director nominee Christopher Wray says he would lead the agency "without fear, without favoritism and certainly without regard to political influence."

Wray's statement came after Sen. Chuck Grassley asked how he viewed the independence of the FBI and its director. He says the American public rightly expects that commitment.

He says there's only one right way to lead the FBI, and that's with "strict independence" and by being faithful to the Constitution.

Some lawmakers will want assurances that he will be able to be independent from the White House after President Donald Trump is said to have asked for a loyalty pledge before firing former director James Comey.

Wray also testified that attempts to tamper with a special counsel investigation into Russian election meddling would be "unacceptable."

Wray's comments came under questioning by Sen. Dianne Feinstein about special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.

During questioning from Sen. Feinstein, Wray says he also never discussed Comey or his abrupt dismissal with the Justice Department or the FBI.

Wray says the issue only came up once, when Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein told him he had appointed Robert Mueller as special counsel to oversee the investigation into Trump campaign ties to Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. That happened after Comey's firing.

POOL

Washington,D.C. - 12 July 2017

1. Wide of Christopher Wray appearing at confirmation hearing for FBI director

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"I believe to my core that there's only one right way to do this job and that is with strict independence by the book, playing it straight, faithful to the Constitution, faithful to our laws and faithful to the best practices of the institution, without fear, without favoritism and certainly without regard to any partisan political influence. That's the commitment that I brought to my years to duty as a line prosecutor, that's the commitment that I brought to my time as the head of the criminal division, that's the commitment that I think the American people rightly expect of the FBI director. That's the commitment I would make to this committee and the country, if confirmed. And I have way, way, way too much respect and affection frankly for the men and women of the FBI to do anything less than that. And I would just say anybody who thinks that I would be pulling punches as the FBI Director sure doesn't know me very well."

3. Sen. Dianne Feinstein asking Wray if he discussed firing of former FBI Director James Comey with anyone at White House

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"Sen. Feinstein, I did not discuss those topics at all with anyone in the White House. My only discussion at all was Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein making the observation to me at the time that I was first contacted about this position by him, by Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein was that now Special Counsel Mueller had been appointed to deal with that issue and that that in effect made for a better landscape for me to consider taking on this position."

5. Feinstein asking question

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"My view is that torture is wrong. It's unacceptable. It's illegal and I think it's ineffective. Second, let me say that I know ... Both of my predecessors, Director Comey and Director Mueller, had a policy which I think is the right policy and I would expect to continue, that the FBI is going to play no part in the use of any techniques of that sort."

7. Various of hearing

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"I'm very committed to supporting Director Mueller in the special counsel investigation in whatever way is appropriate for me to do that. I worked closely with Director Mueller in my past government service. I view him as the consummate straight shooter and someone who I have enormous respect for and I would be pleased to do what I can to support him in his mission."

9. Sen. Feinstein asking question UPSOUND: (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California: "What I'm asking is if you learn about any machinations to tamper with that (special counsel probe) that you let this committee know. (Wray: Understood.) If you want to say more, I'm happy to hear. "

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"I would consult with the appropriate officials. Anytime talking to this committee, I would consult with the appropriate officials to make sure that I'm not jeopardizing the investigation or anything like that but I would consider an effort to tamper with Director Mueller's investigation to be unacceptable and inappropriate and would need to be dealt with very sternly and appropriately, indeed."

11. Various of hearing

U.S. President Donald Trump's pick to head the FBI says the White House should not be playing a role prosecutorial decisions.

At the Senate confirmation hearings Wednesday, nominee Christopher Wray insisted his commitment was to 'follow the facts wherever they may lead'.

"There isn't a person on this who's lobbying or influence could convince me to just drop or abandon a properly predicated and meritorious investigation," said Wray.

Trump has repeatedly derided as a "hoax" and a "witch hunt" an ongoing investigation by the FBI and Robert Mueller, the former FBI director selected in May as the special counsel to oversee the probe.

Christopher Wray, the former high-ranking Justice Department official whom Trump nominated last month, also told senators at his confirmation hearing that he would never let politics get in the way of the bureau's mission.

Wray, selected for the FBI job last month after Trump fired James Comey, made clear that he disagreed with the characterization.

POOL

Washington - 12 July 2017

1. Hearing

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Benjamin Sasse (R) Nebraska:

"When would it be appropriate and when would it be inappropriate for main justice and beyond, I mean particularly the White House, to be providing direction about FBI priorities and mind share and budget investments?"

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"Well I don't think the White House should be playing a role in prosecutorial decisions, period."

4. Hearing

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"You can't do a job like this without being prepared to quit or be fired at a moment's notice if you're asked to do something or confronted with something that is either illegal, unconstitutional, or even morally repugnant."

6. Hearing

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"My commitment is to the rule of law, to the Constitution, to follow the facts, wherever they may lead, and there isn't a person on this planet who's lobbying or influence could convince me to just drop or abandon a properly predicated and meritorious investigation."

8. Hearing

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Al Franken, (D) Minnesota:

"And you don't think Director Comey is a nut job right?'

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"That's never been my experience with him."

(Sen. Al Franken, (D) Minnesota off camera): "Okay. I'm glad to hear that."

11. Hearing

US President Donald Trump's pick to head the FBI says the White House should not be playing a role in prosecutorial decisions.

At the Senate confirmation hearings Wednesday, nominee Christopher Wray insisted his commitment was to "follow the facts wherever they may lead."

"There isn't a person on this who's lobbying or influence could convince me to just drop or abandon a properly predicated and meritorious investigation," said Wray.

Trump has repeatedly derided as a "hoax" and a "witch hunt" an ongoing investigation by the FBI and Robert Mueller, the former FBI director selected in May as the special counsel to oversee the probe.

Wray, the former high-ranking Justice Department official whom Trump nominated last month, also told senators at his confirmation hearing that he would never let politics get in the way of the bureau's mission.

Wray was selected for the FBI job last month after Trump fired James Comey.

POOL

Washington, D.C. - 12 July 2017

1. Hearing

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Benjamin Sasse (R) Nebraska:

"When would it be appropriate and when would it be inappropriate for main justice and beyond, I mean particularly the White House, to be providing direction about FBI priorities and mind share and budget investments?"

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"Well I don't think the White House should be playing a role in prosecutorial decisions, period."

4. Hearing

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"You can't do a job like this without being prepared to quit or be fired at a moment's notice if you're asked to do something or confronted with something that is either illegal, unconstitutional, or even morally repugnant."

6. Hearing

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"My commitment is to the rule of law, to the constitution, to follow the facts, wherever they may lead, and there isn't a person on this planet who's lobbying or influence could convince me to just drop or abandon a properly predicated and meritorious investigation."

8. Hearing

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Al Franken, (D) Minnesota:

"And you don't think Director Comey is a nut job right?'

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"That's never been my experience with him."

(Sen. Al Franken, (D) Minnesota off camera): "Okay. I'm glad to hear that."

11. Hearing

Breaking with the US president, the lawyer Donald Trump picked to lead the FBI declared Wednesday that he does not believe a special counsel investigation into possible coordination between Russia and the Trump presidential campaign is a "witch hunt."

Christopher Wray, the former high-ranking Justice Department official whom Trump nominated last month, also told senators at his confirmation hearing that he would never let politics get in the way of the bureau's mission.

The FBI's work will be driven only by "the facts, the law and the impartial pursuit of justice," he said, asserting his independence. "My loyalty is to the Constitution and the rule of law. They have been my guideposts throughout my career, and I will continue to adhere to them no matter the test."

Trump has repeatedly derided as a "hoax" and a "witch hunt" an ongoing investigation by the FBI and Robert Mueller, the former FBI director selected in May as the special counsel to oversee the probe.

Wray, selected for the FBI job last month after Trump fired James Comey, made clear that he disagreed with the characterization.

POOL

Washington,D.C. - 12 July 2017

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Patrick Leahy, (D) Vermont:

"From what we've seen from the White House, they may be expecting your loyalty, as the president did with Directory Comey. You told me yesterday there's been no question by anybody in the White House asking you for a pledge of loyalty, is that correct?"

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"That's correct, Senator. My loyalty is to the Constitution, to the rule of law and to the mission of the FBI and no one asked me for any kind of loyalty oath at any point during this process and I sure as heck didn't offer one."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Patrick Leahy, (D) Vermont:

"If the president asks you to do something unlawful or unethical, what do you say?"

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"First, I would try to talk him out of it and if that failed, I would resign."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Lindsey Graham, (R) South Carolina:

"If I got a call from somebody saying the Russian government wants to help Lindsey Graham get re-elected, they've got dirt on Lindsey Graham's opponent, should I take that meeting?"

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"Well, Senator, I would think you'd want to consult with some good legal advisers before you did that."

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Lindsey Graham, (R) South Carolina:

"So the answer is, should I call the FBI... you're going to be the director of the FBI, pal. So here's what I want you to tell every politician: if you get a call from somebody suggesting that a foreign government wants to help you by disparaging your opponent, tell us all to call the FBI."

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"To the members of this committee, any threat or effort to interfere with our elections from any nation state or any non-state actor is the kind of thing the FBI would want to know."

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Lindsey Graham, (R) South Carolina:

"Is Russia our friend or our enemy?"

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"Senator, I think Russia is a foreign nation that we have to deal with very warily."

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Lindsey Graham, (R) South Carolina:

"Do you think they're an adversary of the United States?"

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"In some situations, yes."

13. Wide of hearing

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee (on Comey press conference on Hillary Clinton email investigation):

"I can't imagine a situation where, as FBI director, I would be giving a press conference on an uncharged individual, much less talk in detail about it."

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Lindsey Graham, (R) South Carolina:

"I'm asking you, as the future FBI director, do you consider this endeavor (Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation) a witch hunt?"

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"I do not consider Director Mueller to be on a witch hunt."

17. Wide of hearing

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"It's not ever been my practice to blur the line between FBI investigator and Department of Justice prosecutor. It's never been my practice to speak publicly as a prosecutor or as a department official about uncharged individuals. I think those policies are important, I think they're in place for a reason. And I would expect to comply with them."

19. Wide of hearing

20. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director Nominee:

"No one has asked me for any loyalty oath and I wouldn't offer one. As I said, my loyalty is to the Constitution, the rule of law and the mission of the FBI."

21. Wide of hearing

The FBI is determined to not repeat any of the mistakes identified in a harshly critical watchdog report on the handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation, Director Chris Wray said Monday at a congressional hearing.

Wray said the FBI accepts the findings of the Justice Department inspector general report and has begun making changes, including about how the FBI handles especially sensitive investigations. The bureau is also reinforcing for employees the need to avoid the appearance of political bias, a key point of criticism in last week's report.

"We're going to learn from the report and be better as a result," Wray said.

The report blasted FBI actions during the 2016 investigation into whether Clinton, the Democratic presidential candidate, had mishandled classified information on her private email server when she was secretary of state.

It said anti-Donald Trump text messages exchanged by FBI employees who worked on the investigation cast a cloud on the agency's handling of the probe and damaged its reputation. It also said that fired FBI Director James Comey repeatedly broke from protocol, including when he publicly announced his recommendation against charging Clinton and when he bucked the judgment of Justice Department bosses by alerting Congress months later that the investigation was being reopened because of newly discovered emails.

But the report found that the July 2016 decision to spare Clinton from criminal charges was not tainted by political bias or considerations.

Inspector General Michael Horowitz, who joined Wray at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Monday, said there are lessons to be learned from the 500-page report, including about respecting an institution's hierarchy and norms.

POOL

Washington - 18 June 2018

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Chuck Grassley, (R) Iowa:

"The Justice Department faces a serious credibility problem because millions of Americans suspect that there is a double standard. They see a story of kid glove treatment for one side and bare knuckle tactics for the other."

2. Wide of hearing

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Chuck Grassley, (R) Iowa:

"Director Wray has quite a mess to clean up. I think he probably knows that. The department has serious accountability issues. In scandal after scandal, accountability is the exception rather than the rule."

4. Wide of hearing

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California:

"While the report is highly critical of Director Comey, it did not find that it was biased against President Trump or in favor of Secretary Clinton, as some have alleged."

6. Wide of hearing

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California:

"Throughout the Clinton investigation, Republicans in Congress demanded information from Director Comey and the Justice Department under subpoena and threat of contempt. Today, they are doing the same thing with special counsel Mueller's investigation. It was wrong then and it's wrong now."

8. Wide of Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz and FBI Director Christopher Wray swearing in

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Horowitz, Department of Justice Inspector General:

"As detailed in our report, we found that the inappropriate political messages we uncovered cast a cloud over the media investigation, sowed doubt about the credibility of the FBI's handling of it and impacted the reputation of the FBI."

10. Wide of hearing

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Horowitz, Department of Justice Inspector General:

"With regard to the decision to close the investigation without prosecution, we found no evidence that the conclusions by the prosecutors were the result of improper considerations, including political bias, but rather were exercises of prosecutorial discretion by the prosecutors based on their assessment of the facts of the law and past department practice."

12. Wide of Horowitz and Wray

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director:

"Although the report did not find any evidence of political bias or improper considerations ultimately impacting the investigation under review, the report did identify errors of judgment, violations of or disregard for policy and decisions that at least in the benefit of hindsight, were certainly not the best choices."

14. Wide of Horowitz and Wray

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director:

"The OIG's report makes clear that we have significant work to do. And as I said, we're going to learn from the report and be better as a result. At the same time, I want to emphasize that this report is focused on a specific set of events back in 2016 and a small number of FBI employees connected with those events. Mistakes made by those employees do not define our 37,000 men and women and the great work they do everyday. Nothing in this report impugns the integrity of our workforce as a whole or the FBI as an institution. I want to be very clear with this committee about the FBI that I've been able to see up close every day in the 10 months since my confirmation hearing before you all."

16. UPSOUND (English) Sen. Patrick Leahy, (D) Vermont:

"Do you have any reason to believe that this investigation has been discredited?"

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director:

"Senator, as I said to you last month and as I said before, I do not believe special counsel Mueller is on a witch hunt."

18. Wide of Horowitz and Wray

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director:

"What I can tell you is that I cannot imagine a situation in which I would unilaterally assume for myself, as the FBI director, a charging decision and then announce it in a news conference."

20. Wide of hearing

The FBI is determined to not repeat any of the mistakes identified in a harshly critical watchdog report on the handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation, Director Chris Wray said Monday at a congressional hearing.

Wray said the FBI accepts the findings of the Justice Department inspector general report and has begun making changes, including about how the FBI handles especially sensitive investigations. The bureau is also reinforcing for employees the need to avoid the appearance of political bias, a key point of criticism in last week's report.

"We're going to learn from the report and be better as a result," Wray said.

The report blasted FBI actions during the 2016 investigation into whether Clinton, the Democratic presidential candidate, had mishandled classified information on her private email server when she was secretary of state.

It said anti-Donald Trump text messages exchanged by FBI employees who worked on the investigation cast a cloud on the agency's handling of the probe and damaged its reputation. It also said that fired FBI Director James Comey repeatedly broke from protocol, including when he publicly announced his recommendation against charging Clinton and when he bucked the judgment of Justice Department bosses by alerting Congress months later that the investigation was being reopened because of newly discovered emails.

But the report found that the July 2016 decision to spare Clinton from criminal charges was not tainted by political bias or considerations.

Inspector General Michael Horowitz, who joined Wray at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Monday, said there are lessons to be learned from the 500-page report, including about respecting an institution's hierarchy and norms.

POOL

Washington - 18 June 2018

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Chuck Grassley, (R) Iowa:

"The Justice Department faces a serious credibility problem because millions of Americans suspect that there is a double standard. They see a story of kid glove treatment for one side and bare knuckle tactics for the other."

2. Wide of hearing

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Chuck Grassley, (R) Iowa:

"Director Wray has quite a mess to clean up. I think he probably knows that. The department has serious accountability issues. In scandal after scandal, accountability is the exception rather than the rule."

4. Wide of hearing

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California:

"While the report is highly critical of Director Comey, it did not find that it was biased against President Trump or in favor of Secretary Clinton, as some have alleged."

6. Wide of hearing

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California:

"Throughout the Clinton investigation, Republicans in Congress demanded information from Director Comey and the Justice Department under subpoena and threat of contempt. Today, they are doing the same thing with special counsel Mueller's investigation. It was wrong then and it's wrong now."

8. Wide of Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz and FBI Director Christopher Wray swearing in

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Horowitz, Department of Justice Inspector General:

"As detailed in our report, we found that the inappropriate political messages we uncovered cast a cloud over the media investigation, sowed doubt about the credibility of the FBI's handling of it and impacted the reputation of the FBI."

10. Wide of hearing

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Horowitz, Department of Justice Inspector General:

"With regard to the decision to close the investigation without prosecution, we found no evidence that the conclusions by the prosecutors were the result of improper considerations, including political bias, but rather were exercises of prosecutorial discretion by the prosecutors based on their assessment of the facts of the law and past department practice."

12. Wide of Horowitz and Wray

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director:

"Although the report did not find any evidence of political bias or improper considerations ultimately impacting the investigation under review, the report did identify errors of judgment, violations of or disregard for policy and decisions that at least in the benefit of hindsight, were certainly not the best choices."

14. Wide of Horowitz and Wray

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director:

"The OIG's report makes clear that we have significant work to do. And as I said, we're going to learn from the report and be better as a result. At the same time, I want to emphasize that this report is focused on a specific set of events back in 2016 and a small number of FBI employees connected with those events. Mistakes made by those employees do not define our 37,000 men and women and the great work they do everyday. Nothing in this report impugns the integrity of our workforce as a whole or the FBI as an institution. I want to be very clear with this committee about the FBI that I've been able to see up close every day in the 10 months since my confirmation hearing before you all."

16. UPSOUND (English) Sen. Patrick Leahy, (D) Vermont:

"Do you have any reason to believe that this investigation has been discredited?"

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director:

"Senator, as I said to you last month and as I said before, I do not believe special counsel Mueller is on a witch hunt."

18. Wide of Horowitz and Wray

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director:

"What I can tell you is that I cannot imagine a situation in which I would unilaterally assume for myself, as the FBI director, a charging decision and then announce it in a news conference."

20. Wide of hearing

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus099289

The FBI is determined to not repeat any of the mistakes identified in a harshly critical watchdog report on the handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation, Director Chris Wray said Monday at a congressional hearing.

Wray said the FBI accepts the findings of the Justice Department inspector general report and has begun making changes, including about how the FBI handles especially sensitive investigations. The bureau is also reinforcing for employees the need to avoid the appearance of political bias, a key point of criticism in last week's report.

"We're going to learn from the report and be better as a result," Wray said.

The report blasted FBI actions during the 2016 investigation into whether Clinton, the Democratic presidential candidate, had mishandled classified information on her private email server when she was secretary of state.

It said anti-Donald Trump text messages exchanged by FBI employees who worked on the investigation cast a cloud on the agency's handling of the probe and damaged its reputation. It also said that fired FBI Director James Comey repeatedly broke from protocol, including when he publicly announced his recommendation against charging Clinton and when he bucked the judgment of Justice Department bosses by alerting Congress months later that the investigation was being reopened because of newly discovered emails.

But the report found that the July 2016 decision to spare Clinton from criminal charges was not tainted by political bias or considerations.

Inspector General Michael Horowitz, who joined Wray at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Monday, said there are lessons to be learned from the 500-page report, including about respecting an institution's hierarchy and norms.

POOL

Washington - 18 June 2018

++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASHES++

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Chuck Grassley, (R) Iowa:

"The Justice Department faces a serious credibility problem because millions of Americans suspect that there is a double standard. They see a story of kid glove treatment for one side and bare knuckle tactics for the other."

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Chuck Grassley, (R) Iowa:

"Director Wray has quite a mess to clean up. I think he probably knows that. The department has serious accountability issues. In scandal after scandal, accountability is the exception rather than the rule."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director:

"Although the report did not find any evidence of political bias or improper considerations ultimately impacting the investigation under review, the report did identify errors of judgment, violations of or disregard for policy and decisions that at least in the benefit of hindsight, were certainly not the best choices."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director:

"The OIG's report makes clear that we have significant work to do. And as I said, we're going to learn from the report and be better as a result. At the same time, I want to emphasize that this report is focused on a specific set of events back in 2016 and a small number of FBI employees connected with those events. Mistakes made by those employees do not define our 37,000 men and women and the great work they do everyday. Nothing in this report impugns the integrity of our workforce as a whole or the FBI as an institution. I want to be very clear with this committee about the FBI that I've been able to see up close every day in the 10 months since my confirmation hearing before you all."

5. UPSOUND (English) Sen. Patrick Leahy, (D) Vermont:

"Do you have any reason to believe that this investigation has been discredited?"

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director:

"Senator, as I said to you last month and as I said before, I do not believe special counsel Mueller is on a witch hunt."

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Wray, FBI Director:

"What I can tell you is that I cannot imagine a situation in which I would unilaterally assume for myself, as the FBI director, a charging decision and then announce it in a news conference."