Senator Grassley reveals FBI used biased sources in multiple memos linking traditional Catholics to extremism.

FBI Accused of Withholding Scope of Anti-Catholic Operation

Senator Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa and chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has released documents alleging that the FBI engaged in a broader effort to associate traditional Catholic communities with extremism than previously disclosed. The revelation challenges earlier statements by former FBI Director Christopher Wray, who had told Congress the matter was limited to a single 2023 memo originating from the agency’s Richmond, Virginia, field office.

Grassley’s findings, made public Tuesday, include multiple FBI materials that reference “radical traditionalist Catholics” and cite the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) as a source. According to Grassley, the bureau uncovered at least 13 additional documents and five attachments beyond the Richmond memo, contradicting Wray’s March 2023 testimony that the matter stemmed from one field office product.

“I’m determined to get to the bottom of the Richmond memo, and of the FBI’s contempt for oversight in the last administration,” Grassley said. “Justice must be administered fairly and blindly, regardless of political or religious affiliation.”

Grassley addressed a letter to current FBI Director Kash Patel, raising concerns about transparency and the agency’s reliance on what he called “deeply-biased sources”. The SPLC, a group that has drawn criticism for its designations of extremist organizations, was repeatedly cited in the FBI memos to identify supposed threats within Catholic groups.

The controversy began when a whistleblower revealed the initial memo, titled “Interest of Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremists in Radical-Traditionalist Catholic Ideology Almost Certainly Presents New Mitigation Opportunities.” The document sparked immediate backlash, especially from Republican lawmakers, who criticized its perceived targeting of religious communities.

Grassley’s newly released records show the Richmond memo had been circulated to over 1,000 FBI personnel across the country. One internal email included in the materials showed staff from the Buffalo field office expressing concern about hate groups mentioned in the memo being present within their jurisdiction.

Wray’s 2023 testimony to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence maintained that the FBI acted swiftly upon discovering the memo and dismissed it as a limited action. “It was a product by one field office, which, of course, we have scores and scores of these products, and when we found out about it, we took action,” Wray said.

However, Grassley’s letter states that a second draft memo intended for bureau-wide distribution was developed by the Richmond office but ultimately withheld due to the backlash surrounding the original document’s public disclosure.

Grassley criticized the FBI’s lack of transparency with Congress and questioned the agency’s oversight practices. “These letters focused on the preparation of the memo, its dissemination, the use of biased sources such as the radical Southern Poverty Law Center, and later, the FBI’s misleading representations to Congress, including those of former Director Wray,” he wrote.

While the FBI acknowledged receiving Grassley’s letter, it has not provided further comment regarding the new disclosures.

As the investigation continues, Grassley has vowed to hold the bureau accountable. Lawmakers from both chambers may soon revisit oversight mechanisms governing how federal agencies assess ideological threats and safeguard constitutional rights.