Gaetz, under investigative cloud, questions FBI director

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who is currently the subject of an FBI probe, had a chance Thursday to question the man leading the agency responsible for investigating him. 

Gaetz came face-to-face with FBI Director Christopher Wray as the latter appeared before lawmakers on the House Judiciary Committee.

The rare scene comes as Gaetz faces an investigation into possible sex crimes and obstruction of justice. A friend of Gaetz’s, Joel Greenberg, has pleaded guilty to sex trafficking a 17-year-old. Gaetz has denied all wrongdoing.

Gaetz used the opportunity with Wray to ask about the FBI’s role in investigating the origins of the coronavirus.

“I’m not sure that there’s much I can say about any specific investigation,” Wray said.

In April, fellow committee member Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) argued Gaetz should be removed from the committee because it has oversight over the FBI, calling it an “untenable conflict of interest.”

Republicans on the committee made similar calls amid news that Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), another committee member, had been targeted by a suspected Chinese spy.