U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) questioned Attorney General Pam Bondi during a Department of Justice oversight hearing about actions taken by the Biden and Obama Justice Departments. The focus was on allegations that the FBI, under the Biden Administration, monitored phone calls made by Graham and other senators as part of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into former President Donald Trump.
During the hearing, Graham asked Bondi for an explanation regarding why his phone records from January 4-7, 2021, were obtained by agents working for Jack Smith while he was serving as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Graham said, “Can you tell me why my phone records when I [was] the chairman of the [Senate] Judiciary Committee were sought by the Jack Smith agents? Why did they ask to know who I called and what I was doing from January 4th to the 7th [2021]? Can you tell me that… Do you think that was an abuse of power?”
Bondi responded, “Senator, I cannot discuss whether there is or is not an ongoing investigation. If I may add one thing, they also wasted $50 million on what you just described, trying to put President Trump in jail prior to the election.”
Last month, former FBI Director James Comey was indicted on charges including lying to Congress during a Crossfire Hurricane oversight hearing led by Graham and obstructing a congressional proceeding. After Comey’s testimony, Graham publicly expressed doubt regarding Comey’s statements.
Graham addressed concerns about Comey: “[Some people are asking] why are we looking at Comey? Give me a break. Why are we looking at Comey? Because he ran an FBI and personally knew about exculpatory information and let it slide… How does that not get to the [FISA] court?”
Graham also questioned Bondi about a memo sent in September 2016 from the intelligence community to then-FBI Director Comey, which suggested that Hillary Clinton’s campaign might have been behind claims that Trump colluded with Russia. “Are you aware of the fact that [in September 2016] the intelligence community sent a memo to the FBI director detailing intelligence that suggested Clinton’s campaign was behind the idea that Trump [was] colluding or cooperating with the Russians?” asked Graham.
Bondi replied, “Senator, I believe that has been reported.”
Graham continued, “And that [memo] was addressed to the FBI director [James Comey] and [an FBI agent] Mr. Strzok. Are you aware that [Comey] told this committee, ‘I don’t recall that?’…What the hell would you recall? [Comey was] the sitting FBI director. There’s a campaign for president going on. [The FBI has] opened up an investigation believing that the Republican candidate may be a Russian asset. And now all of a sudden, less than … two months later, you have two inquiries, two events to suggest it may be his political opponent [behind it].”
Graham asked Bondi whether anyone in the FBI informed the FISA court or others about this activity. He also questioned whether law enforcement is required to disclose exculpatory information when seeking a warrant or to inform a defendant. Bondi responded, “In general, of course, Senator.”
Graham concluded his questioning with a statement: “So to the country, the FBI director gets a memo from the intel community [that says the Russia hoax] may be all a political plot by his opponent. [And the FBI] didn’t do a damn thing.”
The full exchange can be viewed on YouTube at https://youtu.be/50nK6Hnj3OI?si=RHcyZMRjJmthVdGp&t=618.
