The FBI’s investigation into the 2017 congressional baseball shooting was a shameful failure, swept under the rug to hide the gunman’s clear anti-Republican motives. A scathing House report released Tuesday exposes how the agency mishandled evidence and misled the public about an attack that left six people wounded.
As reported by NY Post, in June 2017, James Hodgkinson opened fire on a Republican congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia, injuring six, including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise. The FBI’s initial probe concluded Hodgkinson sought “suicide by cop,” a claim now debunked by congressional investigators. This misstep ignored evidence pointing to a targeted political attack.
The House Judiciary Committee, alongside the Intelligence Committee and its Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee, uncovered the FBI’s blunders. Their report, based on 3,000 case file documents, reveals a pattern of negligence and obfuscation. It paints a picture of an agency more concerned with narrative than truth.
A handwritten note found on Hodgkinson listed several Republican lawmakers as targets, yet the FBI downplayed this bombshell. At the time, agents noted a sheet of paper with six congressional names but failed to elaborate. This omission buried the gunman’s clear political motivations.
The FBI’s early briefing labeled the attack a desperate act, not a calculated strike against Republicans. Congressional investigators found the agency hid evidence contradicting this “suicide by cop” theory. Such suppression erodes faith in institutions meant to protect the public.
House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, didn’t mince words about the FBI’s failures. “The guy had a hit list in his pocket,” Jordan said. His frustration reflects the outrage of hardworking Americans tired of elitist cover-ups.
The report outlines three glaring FBI errors that tainted the investigation. Agents neglected to interview key victims and witnesses, leaving critical perspectives unheard. This oversight alone calls into question the agency’s commitment to justice.
The FBI also failed to construct a comprehensive timeline of the 2017 shooting. Without this foundation, the investigation lacked clarity and coherence. Such sloppiness is unacceptable for an agency entrusted with national security.
Compounding these errors, the FBI improperly classified parts of the case files. This misstep hindered transparency and accountability. It’s a stark reminder of how bureaucratic overreach can obscure the truth.
In 2021, the FBI abruptly reclassified the attack as domestic violent extremism. This shift came without new evidence to justify the change. The House report questions the agency’s motives, suggesting a pattern of agenda-driven conclusions.
Jordan pointed to a deeper issue with the FBI’s leadership. “Comey, McCabe, Wray, they all knew it was domestic terrorism, but that didn’t fit their narrative,” he said. His words resonate with Americans skeptical of entrenched power structures.
The FBI’s mishandling of the 2017 shooting investigation isn’t an isolated incident. Jordan highlighted other unresolved cases, stating, “This is the same FBI that can’t tell us who planted the pipe bomb.” His critique underscores a broader distrust in federal institutions.
The suppressed handwritten note, listing Republican targets, should have been a focal point of the investigation. Instead, the FBI buried it, prioritizing a flawed narrative over facts. This betrayal stings for those who value honesty over political gamesmanship.
The report’s findings demand accountability from an agency that’s lost its way. Failing to interview victims or build a timeline isn’t just incompetence—it’s a disservice to the American people. Faith and family-driven communities deserve better.
The 2017 congressional baseball shooting was a wake-up call, and the FBI hit snooze. This House report lays bare an investigation marred by bias and error, leaving justice unserved. It’s time for reform to restore integrity to our nation’s law enforcement.
