Former FBI Director Christopher Wray is reportedly the subject of a federal probe concerning allegations of obstruction of justice, making false statements, and improper handling of classified documents—charges that, if verified, could rank among the most serious scandals in the Bureau’s recent history.
According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, federal prosecutors have issued subpoenas to several former high-ranking FBI officials who served during Wray’s leadership, indicating the investigation has progressed to an advanced stage.
The inquiry, reportedly led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia, centers on Wray’s management of politically sensitive investigations, including the Durham probe into the origins of the Trump-Russia investigation and the FBI’s handling of election-related intelligence.
Focus of the Investigation
Prosecutors are reportedly scrutinizing whether Wray and his team concealed or destroyed critical evidence related to the Durham investigation—a special counsel probe launched to investigate misconduct within the intelligence community’s treatment of the Trump-Russia matter.
Investigators have interviewed numerous current and former FBI personnel who worked on the agency’s seventh floor, home to senior leadership offices.
A key element of the investigation concerns the alleged use of “burn bags”—containers used to destroy sensitive documents—which may have been employed to dispose of materials connected to the Durham case.
CNN reports that officials are trying to determine if any classified documents or internal communications were improperly destroyed or withheld from oversight bodies, potentially violating federal record-keeping laws.
“One sign of the seriousness here is their review of burn bag logs and seventh-floor activities,” said a former Justice Department official familiar with the investigation. “If true, this could indicate a deliberate attempt to obstruct an ongoing inquiry.”
Subpoenas and Widening Investigation
The Wall Street Journal notes the probe has expanded in recent weeks, with subpoenas issued to former intelligence and law enforcement leaders, including ex-CIA Director John Brennan.
Like Wray, Brennan was a key figure in managing politically sensitive intelligence matters during and after the Trump administration.
“The investigation now involves individuals tied to the upper echelons of both the FBI and CIA,” the report quotes an anonymous source close to the matter.
Multiple federal prosecutors are reportedly involved, indicating coordination across Justice Department divisions. Officials are exploring whether internal communications between the FBI and CIA misrepresented intelligence during the 2016–2020 period, and whether such practices continued under Wray’s leadership.
Examination of Election Testimony
The investigation also reportedly reviews Wray’s public and congressional statements about election security.
In 2020 and 2021, Wray testified that the FBI had found “no evidence of a coordinated national effort” to commit voter fraud or interfere with the election.
However, recently declassified intelligence documents released by current FBI Director Kash Patel appear to contradict those claims.
The documents suggest the FBI had evidence that China mass-produced fake U.S. driver’s licenses before the 2020 election, possibly intended to facilitate mail-in ballot fraud favoring then-candidate Joe Biden.
If verified, this could mean Wray withheld key intelligence from Congress and the public.
“Providing misleading information to Congress about classified election-related intelligence could constitute perjury or obstruction,” said retired federal prosecutor Thomas Baker. “It’s a grave matter if these allegations prove true.”
Handling of the “Richmond Product”
Investigators are also looking into Wray’s statements about the “Richmond product”—a 2023 internal FBI intelligence memo describing certain traditional Catholic groups as potential extremist threats.
The memo, widely criticized after being leaked, appeared to equate religious practices with political extremism. Wray later said the document was “inconsistent with FBI standards” and was “promptly withdrawn.”
Yet whistleblower testimonies and internal emails released to Congress suggest the memo may have been circulated more broadly than initially admitted, raising doubts about the accuracy of Wray’s testimony.
“Evidence points to this not being an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern of political bias in intelligence assessments,” said a senior congressional aide involved in the inquiry.
Political and Legal Ramifications
The investigation’s implications are extensive. Wray, who led the FBI from 2017 until stepping down earlier this year, has faced criticism from across the political spectrum—accused by conservatives of shielding allies and by progressives of lacking sufficient oversight.
With subpoenas issued and new witnesses interviewed, the probe could alter public views of the FBI’s impartiality.
“This is not a typical internal review,” legal analyst Rebecca Lawson remarked. “It’s a comprehensive criminal investigation into a former FBI Director—something unprecedented in recent U.S. history.”
Congressional Oversight Intensifies
In response, lawmakers have acted swiftly. House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH) said his committee would seek all communications between the FBI, DOJ, and CIA related to document retention policies during Wray’s leadership.
Meanwhile, Senate Intelligence Committee members have begun quiet briefings with current FBI officials on classified materials’ storage and destruction protocols.
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), a longtime transparency advocate, said, “If the FBI Director knowingly destroyed evidence or misled Congress, that’s not merely misconduct—it’s criminal.”
No Public Statement from Wray
To date, Wray has not publicly addressed the investigation. His legal team declined to comment, citing the ongoing probe.
The FBI neither confirmed nor denied the inquiry but reaffirmed its “commitment to transparency and accountability.”
Current FBI Director Kash Patel, who succeeded Wray earlier this year, reportedly initiated an internal review of document retention and the handling of politically sensitive investigations.
Broader Justice System Implications
This probe reflects a wider reckoning within federal law enforcement regarding politicization, accountability, and transparency.
Both Democratic and Republican officials have for years accused the FBI of biased enforcement—either protecting allies or targeting opponents.
“If leadership figures manipulated investigations or destroyed records, it would validate longstanding concerns about bias at the highest levels,” said former FBI agent Jeffrey Danforth. “This investigation matters not just for Wray but for the entire institution.”
What Lies Ahead
Legal experts predict the coming months will be crucial. If prosecutors gather enough evidence, criminal charges or a referral to a special counsel could follow.
Congressional committees are expected to hold hearings later this year to question current and former FBI officials about their handling of classified information.
Regardless of the outcome, the investigation into Christopher Wray marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over the independence and integrity of U.S. intelligence agencies within the political landscape.
