Milwaukee City Wire

Sens. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Chuck Grassley of Iowa have formally requested the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to disclose internal communications and records associated with its handling of Hunter Biden's laptop since acquiring it on December 9, 2019. The senators sent a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel as part of their inquiry.

A report by Catherine Herridge and Michael Shellenberger on April 1, 2025, revealed FBI "chat messages" from October 2020, indicating that FBI officials were allegedly curbing discussion around the laptop's credibility before the 2020 presidential election. "While your predecessor opted to stonewall and ignore our multiple requests for information on the matter, we expect that under your leadership the FBI will be transparent with Congress," the senators wrote, addressing their expectation for transparency. They further noted, "The American people deserve to see every document, along with a detailed explanation of how the FBI handled the laptop since the day they first possessed it on December 9, 2019."

The senators' request outlines specific information they seek:

1. All "chat messages" mentioned in the report, including communications related to the Hunter Biden laptop exchanged with any U.S. House of Representatives offices or committees.

2. A comprehensive collection of text, instant, and team chat messages regarding the laptop between various individuals within the FBI, including Elvis Chan, Laura Dehmlow, Bradley Benavides, James Dennehy, and any other engaged FBI personnel.

3. All records from December 1, 2019, to the present involving Hunter Biden and his electronic devices.

Further details of the letter are made available for public access through links shared by the reporters.