FBI agent who quit amid scrutiny of Hunter Biden probe denies political bias

The legal counsel for an FBI agent who stepped down last week after allegations that he tried to interfere in the Hunter Biden laptop investigation are denying reports that he was politically motivated.

Deputy Special Agent in Charge Tim Thibault was nominated by Senate Judiciary Ranking Member Chuck Grassley in a July 18 letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray and Attorney General Merrick Garland. Grassley cited whistleblowers who alleged a pattern of political bias by senior officials, including Thibault.

The FBI seal in Washington, DC
(Reuters/Mary F. Calvert)

Morrison & Foerster LLP, which represents Thibault, clarified that their client retired from the FBI and was not fired, forced to retire or asked to retire. Morrison said Thibault turned in his security badge and left the FBI field office with two longtime special agent friends.

Thibault, who had been with the FBI for more than 30 years, was eligible for retirement and informed his supervisors about a month ago of his intentions, Morrison said.

NBC News reported this week on the contents of Hunter Biden’s laptop as the president’s son remains under federal tax investigation.
(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

The firm noted that Thibault had led and overseen multiple investigations into public corruption by both Democrats and Republicans.

Morrison said the Office of Special Counsel is investigating allegations that Thibault’s social media posts may violate the Hatch Act, which limits the political activities of federal employees.

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“Thibault is cooperating with this investigation, urges the Bureau to complete its review and expects to be fully exonerated,” Morrison said, adding that Thibault, regardless of his retirement, welcomes any investigation into the allegations that “he was taken certain actions in partisan investigations”. political reasons”.

“He strongly believes that any investigation will conclude that his oversight, leadership and decision-making were not affected by political bias or partisanship of any kind,” Morrison said. “He is confident that all of his decisions were consistent with the FBI’s highest standards of ethics and integrity.”

The firm reiterated that Thibault was not involved in either the planning or execution of the FBI raid on former President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida earlier this month.

The firm also said Thibault “failed to oversee the Hunter Biden investigation,” which they added is now being handled by the Baltimore field office.

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“In particular, Mr. Thibault was not involved in any decision related to any laptop that may be at issue in this investigation, and he did not attempt to close the investigation,” Morrison said.