Cruz Forces FBI Dir to Admit Agent Who Oversaw Whitmer Kidnap Plot Investigation Now in Charge of DC Office
FBI Director Christopher Wray confirmed on Thursday to GOP Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas that the agent in charge of the Detroit field office during the investigation into the alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer now oversees the Washington, D.C., office.
The D.C. office is investigating those involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol incursion.
Cruz pointed out to Wray, who was appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, that the Michigan case “ended up an absolute debacle.”
“The four people who went to trial, two of them were acquitted, two received mistrials. None of them were convicted on even a single charge, and the basis of the defense was entrapment — that the FBI, that paid [informants] for the FBI had suggested and had incited the conduct,” Cruz said.
“Let me ask you — how many FBI agents were disciplined or reprimanded after that disastrous case and the misconduct that led to every defendant being acquitted or having a mistrial on every charge?” the senator asked.
Wray responded that he could not comment and that the mistrial case will be retried.
Cruz followed up by asking if the special agent in charge of the Whitmer case is now leading the investigation regarding Jan. 6.
“That doesn’t sound right to me,” Wray first answered.
Wray admits to Ted Cruz that the FBI special agent in charge of the Detroit field office during the Whitmer kidnapping debacle is now in charge of the DC field office during the J6 investigation. pic.twitter.com/DUsXbBX0Vt
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) August 4, 2022
Cruz then named the man as Steven D’Antuono, prompting Wray to confirm the agent’s past and current positions.
“Mr. D’Antuono was the special agent in charge of the office, the Detroit field office, and is now the assistant director in charge of the Washington field office,” Wray said.
“So the guy in charge [in Detroit] got promoted and is now in charge of the Jan. 6 investigation?” Cruz questioned.
Wray replied, “The guy in charge of the whole Detroit field office is now in charge of the whole Washington field office.”
In April, Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta were found not guilty of conspiring to kidnap Whitmer. Jurors could not reach a verdict for Adam Fox, the alleged ringleader, and Barry Croft Jr., resulting in a mistrial for them.
“Defense attorneys had argued — successfully, it would appear — that their clients were entrapped by the FBI; at least a dozen FBI confidential human sources and undercover agents working out of numerous FBI field offices were deeply embedded in the plot,” Julie Kelly of American Greatness wrote.
The Detroit Free Press reported in October 2020 that six members of the Wolverine Watchmen were charged with federal kidnapping offenses. At the time, Whitmer accused then-President Donald Trump of being “complicit” in the alleged crime.
Days after the charges were filed in Michigan, the FBI announced that D’Antuono was being promoted to assistant director in charge of the Washington, D.C., field office.
A week after the Jan. 6 incursion, D’Antuono said to the protesters, “Even if you’ve left D.C., agents from our local field offices will be knocking on your door if we find out that you were part of the criminal activity at the Capitol.”
FBI Washington Field Office ADIC, Steven D’Antuono: “Even if you’ve left D.C., agents from our local field offices will be knocking on your door if we find out that you were part of the criminal activity at the Capitol.” pic.twitter.com/1O7xCrv9UW
— The Hill (@thehill) January 13, 2021
In January of this year, Cruz questioned FBI Assistant Executive Director Jill Sanborn concerning the role FBI informants may have played on Jan. 6.
“How many FBI agents or confidential informants actively participated in the events of Jan. 6?” Cruz asked.
“Sir, I’m sure you can appreciate that I can’t go into the specifics of sources and methods,” Sanborn answered.
Cruz then asked a broader question. “Did any FBI agents or confidential informants actively participate in the events of Jan. 6? Yes or no.”
CRUZ: “Did any FBI agents or confidential informants actively participate in the events of January 6th?”
“I can’t answer that.” pic.twitter.com/UgD9mQVLkP
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) January 11, 2022
“Sir, I can’t answer that,” Sanborn replied.
A version of this article originally appeared on Patriot Project.
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