Henrico Times

In light of allegations of impropriety and politicization in the site selection process for the new Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) headquarters, Congressman Rob Wittman and other Virginia leaders are calling for a pause on the relocation. They are urging the U.S. Office of Management and Budget to allow the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to conduct a thorough investigation.

The lawmakers, including U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, and Reps. Don Beyer, Gerry Connolly, Morgan Griffith, Jen Kiggans, Jennifer McClellan, Bobby Scott, Abigail Spanberger, and Jennifer Wexton, have sent a letter to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, requesting the pause. This comes after their initial request for an investigation into concerns of political interference and impropriety in the site selection process.

The FBI Director, Christopher Wray, has also expressed concerns about the process and outcome of the site selection. In a message to FBI personnel, he stated that their concerns remain unresolved. The lawmakers believe that these concerns raise doubts about the fairness and transparency of the site selection process and warrant a thorough review.

The decision on the new FBI headquarters has significant implications for the law enforcement and national security missions of the FBI. It is crucial that both the General Services Administration (GSA) and the FBI cooperate fully with the Inspector General's review and allow enough time for a comprehensive conclusion. The lawmakers are calling for a pause in the headquarters process to ensure a fair and transparent review that addresses these concerns.

The effort to relocate the FBI headquarters has been ongoing for years and has spanned multiple presidential administrations. Virginia leaders have been advocating for Virginia as the best location due to its diverse and developed workforce, proximity to critical national security facilities, and easy access to transit. However, the selection process has been marred by last-minute changes to the criteria and allegations of political interference. A political appointee ultimately overruled the unanimous recommendation of a panel of career experts and selected Greenbelt, Maryland as the site for the new headquarters.

The lawmakers' letter to the Director of the OIG emphasizes the need for a fair and transparent process based on the merits of prospective sites. They argue that the objections from the FBI raise concerns that this standard was not met and that a pause is necessary to address these concerns.

The request for a pause on the FBI headquarters relocation process reflects the lawmakers' commitment to ensuring a fair and unbiased site selection process. The OIG investigation will shed light on any improprieties and politicization that may have occurred. The outcome of this investigation will be critical in determining the future of the FBI headquarters and its impact on national security and law enforcement missions.

To learn more, click on this link: https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5400