Hawley slams FBI Director on targeting of Catholics as ‘violent extremists’

WASHINGTON — Today in the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) questioned FBI Director Christopher Wray on the FBI’s targeting of traditionalist Catholics. Senator Hawley discussed a report issued by the House Judiciary Committee revealing a memo outlining the weaponization of the FBI against Catholics, and repeatedly demanded that Director Wray hold accountable the individuals involved.

“Now we know that in fact, FBI agents did approach a priest and a choir director to ask them to inform on parishioners […] Good heavens, Director, this is one of the most outrageous targetings – you have mobilized your division, the most powerful law enforcement division in the world, against traditionalist Catholics,” said Senator Hawley.

He continued, “your memo labels traditional Catholics as racially, and ethnically, motivated violent extremists in need of investigation […] You have repeatedly said ‘we don’t target churches, we don’t list churches,’ [but] they’re listed in the memo.”

Senator Hawley has previously called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) for answers on the FBI’s targeting and subsequent arrests of people of faith, particularly Catholics.

Watch the full exchange here or below.