No, FBI director didn't say Joe Biden is being investigated for 'Ukrainian bribes' | Fact check

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The claim: Video shows FBI Director Christopher Wray confirming President Joe Biden is under investigation for 'Ukrainian bribes'

An Aug. 3 Instagram video (direct link, archive link) shows FBI Director Christopher Wray responding to a question during a congressional hearing.

"BREAKING: FBI Director Wray confirms Joe Biden is under criminal investigation for Ukrainian bribes by the US Attorney in Delaware then tries to backpedal after realizing what he disclosed," reads text above the video.

The video was liked more than 5,000 times in 11 days.

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Our rating: False

The video doesn't show what the post claims. Wray briefly refers to the investigation of Hunter Biden being led by a prosecutor in Delaware, then refuses to confirm or deny who is or isn’t under investigation.

Wray refused to confirm 'who is or isn't' under investigation

The video shows Wray testifying July 12 during a House Judiciary Committee hearing. The exchange in question happened more than three hours into the hearing when Rep. Tom Tiffany, a Republican from Wisconsin, asked Wray, "Did Joe Biden take payments from Burisma or any other foreign companies as vice president, president or private citizen Biden?"

Wray replied, "As you may know, there is an ongoing investigation being led by the U.S. attorney in Delaware, Mr. (David) Weiss, appointed by President (Donald) Trump in the last administration that our Baltimore field office is working with, and I would refer you to him as to what, if anything, can be said."

Tiffany appears to take this to mean the president is under investigation, but the ongoing investigation Wray refers to is the criminal investigation of Hunter Biden, the president's son, being led by David Weiss, the U.S. attorney in Delaware. Wray does not say, or confirm, the president is under investigation, as the post claims.

In fact, Wray directly refused to confirm or deny "who is or isn't under investigation for what," saying in the same clip that it's a long-standing bureau policy not to make such comments.

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In late July, a federal judge refused to accept a plea deal in the Hunter Biden case after prosecutors and defense attorneys couldn't agree on the terms. Hunter Biden had previously agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of tax evasion and participate in a pretrial program for a firearm offense.

Attorney General Merrick Garland announced on Aug. 11 that he was appointing Weiss as special counsel in the case, which means Weiss will have the authority to bring charges in any federal court he chooses.

The case has had broad political implications, with many Republicans questioning the sources of Hunter Biden’s income and accusing him of peddling influence with his father for foreign companies. Republicans, though, have yet to present evidence to substantiate those claims.

Christopher Wray, Director of the FBI, testifies in front of the House Judiciary Committee in Washington on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.
Christopher Wray, Director of the FBI, testifies in front of the House Judiciary Committee in Washington on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

USA TODAY reached out to the social media user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

PolitiFact also debunked the claim.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: FBI Director didn't say Joe Biden under investigation | Fact check