The FBI played a major role in high-profile investigations during the last two presidencies. Analyst Brian Auten has been at the center of them all.
He played part in the Trump-Russia probe, Hunter Biden laptop investigation, and is now reportedly involved in the investigation of classified documents stored at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.
Chuck Grassley, R-IA, sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray on July 25 over concerns about Auten’s handling of the investigation into Hunter Biden.
“This is hurting the credibility of the FBI. People ought to have ultimate confidence in the FBI,” Grassley said In an interview on Fox News.
From 2016 to 2017, Auten was also a part of the counterintelligence division that led the year-long investigation into Russia’s efforts to interfere in the 2016 election known as ‘Crossfire Hurricane.’
The unit examined if any of the Trump campaign’s associates coordinated with the Russians. Much of that investigation centered around the infamous Steele dossier, which was later proven not credible and left many on the right to question the FBI’s integrity.
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-NC, pressed the FBI director when he testified at an Aug. 4 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to see if anyone involved in the “Crossfire Hurricane” investigation had been “been fired or disciplined.”
“There are a number of people who are currently in what we call our office of professional responsibility and our disciplinary arm,” FBI director Christopher Wray said. “You may wonder why that hasn’t yielded any results yet. That’s because we are working closely with, cooperating closely with, assisting the Durham investigation.”
Auten has been under internal investigation by special counsel John Durham since 2019 for his role in the Russia probe. Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz pointed out Auten’s failure to vet the Steele dossier and knowingly allowing false information to be used in warrant affidavits.
Despite the investigation, Auten remains active in the bureau, which is why some Republicans say they do not trust the FBI.
