FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate’s recent testimony about Thomas Matthew Crooks, the individual who attempted to assassinate former President Trump, has led to allegations of political bias. Critics claim Abbate highlighted Crooks’ potential right-wing views while omitting details about his more recent pro-Biden social media activity.
Abbate’s testimony before a Senate hearing focused on an account linked to Crooks that posted antisemitic and anti-immigrant content in 2019 and 2020. “Some of these comments, if ultimately attributable to the shooter, appear to reflect antisemitic and anti-immigration themes,” Abbate stated, emphasizing the lack of other information about Crooks’ motives.
In contrast, Gab CEO Andrew Torba disclosed that another account, “EpicMicrowave,” which the FBI connected to Crooks, posted pro-Biden content supporting Biden’s COVID lockdowns and immigration policies. “As of 2021, Crooks was a pro-lockdown, pro-immigration, left-wing Joe Biden supporter,” Torba posted on X.
The FBI’s Emergency Disclosure Request (EDR) for the EpicMicrowave account indicates the bureau believed it was linked to Crooks. However, Torba could not confirm the account’s ownership, noting it was only active briefly in early 2021.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) confronted Abbate about the pro-Biden account during the hearing. Abbate conceded he had not reviewed it personally but acknowledged it appeared to support pro-immigration and pro-lockdown views.
Following the hearing, Blackburn criticized Abbate for selectively presenting information. “That was an earlier social media account. We still don’t know the platform or the user name,” she noted.
Abbate’s reputation for controversial actions within the FBI has added to the skepticism. In 2023, a whistleblower accused him of threatening employees who questioned the FBI’s handling of the January 6th investigation. This background has led to further doubts about the motivations behind Abbate’s testimony and his selective disclosure of Crooks’ social media activity.
