Fact check: Video shows GOP senator questioning FBI director, not releasing Hunter Biden documents
The claim: Video shows Sen. John Kennedy releasing classified documents, 'exposing' FBI chief
Paste BN has debunked a series of videos that feature attention-grabbing captions but actually show completely unrelated footage. One recent example purportedly shows Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., releasing secret documents and accusing the FBI director of corruption involving President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden.
"'You Had A Deal With Hunter!' - Sen John Kennedy RELEASES classified Documents EXPOSING FBI Chief," reads the video's caption in an Oct. 10 Facebook post.
The video was viewed nearly 70,000 times in three days.
But the caption is wrong. While the video shows the Lousiana Republican briefly mentioning Hunter Biden while questioning FBI Director Christopher Wray, he does not present classified documents. Nor does he say "you had a deal with Hunter."
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The Facebook user who shared the video could not be reached for comment.
Video shows committee hearing
The video in the social media post is from an Aug. 4 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on FBI oversight.
In the video, Kennedy questions Wray about the behavior of former FBI agent Timothy Thibault. He mentions Hunter Biden only to ask if Thibault had been involved in the FBI investigation of the president's son.
The agency's ongoing investigation of Hunter Biden is related to an alleged gun purchase and alleged tax offenses. The Washington Post has reported federal agents believe there is enough evidence to charge Hunter Biden, but that decision will be made by the Delaware U.S. attorney.
The video also shows a different clip of Sen.Tom Cotton, R-Ark., questioning Wray at the same Aug. 4 hearing.
At no point in the video does Kennedy present classified documents or accuse Wray of having a "deal" with Hunter Biden.
Fact check: Video shows Sen. John Kennedy talking about inflation, not exposing Biden 'secret'
The claim was also debunked by Lead Stories.
Our rating: False
Based on our research, we rate FALSE the claim that a video shows Kennedy releasing classified documents, "exposing" the FBI chief. While Hunter Biden is mentioned in passing, Kennedy is not shown releasing classified documents or accusing Wray of having a "deal" with Hunter Biden.
Our fact-check sources:
- Lead Stories, Oct. 12, Fact check: Video does not show Sen. John Kennedy releasing classified documents, he does not say 'you had a deal with Hunter'
- Senate Judiciary Committee, Aug. 4, Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
- The Guardian, Oct. 6, Hunter Biden: Reports say FBI has enough evidence for prosecution
- Paste BN, Sept. 19, Fact check: Video shows Sen. John Kennedy questioning Stacey Abrams, not exposing Hunter Biden
- Paste BN, Sept. 16, Fact check: Video shows Cruz blaming Biden for gas prices, not swearing at Adam Schiff
- Washington Post, Oct. 6, Federal agents see chargeable tax, gun-purchase case against Hunter Biden
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