Under the former President Ronald Reagan’s motto, “Trust but verify”, one might wonder if trusting the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has become obsolete in contemporary politics. According to a growing number of American citizens, the FBI increasingly appears to be an enforcement branch of the Democratic Party rather than a nonpartisan law enforcement agency.

This skepticism is amplified by a mounting dispute between the FBI and congressional Republicans. Director Christopher Wray's defensive posture in this ongoing tussle paints an image of an agency seemingly above legislative scrutiny, causing a ripple effect that could lead to a contempt vote.

The row started with a document request from Congress, which escalated into a public relations debacle for the bureau as Wray opposed its release. His evasive actions have only exacerbated the perception of an uncooperative and disingenuous FBI.

The contested document purportedly contains allegations that, during his vice-presidency, Joe Biden was implicated in a $5 million bribery scheme. House Oversight Chairman James Comer's persistent efforts brought the existence of this document to light.

Initially, the FBI neither confirmed nor denied the document's existence when Comer requested it. The agency later admitted to its existence but refused to provide it, citing potential risks to sources and the integrity of ongoing or future investigations.

Upon facing a contempt threat from Comer, Wray agreed to discuss the document and eventually allowed its viewing at the FBI building. After Comer declined this offer, FBI agents brought the document to Capitol Hill for both Republicans and Democrats in the committee to review.

The document's bribery accusation allegedly revolves around Ukraine, where Biden's son, Hunter, was a board member of the infamous energy company, Burisma, earning up to $1 million a year from 2014 to 2019.

During Hunter's tenure, Joe Biden, as vice president, played a key role in U.S.-Ukraine relations. Around this time, the White House granted $50 million to Ukraine for election security and energy sector assistance, a move that now raises eyebrows given the Biden family's alleged overseas business dealings.

Although the FBI's stance on the case's current status varies, Comer emphasized that the purported $5 million bribe was to be conducted via "shell accounts and multiple banks". He also highlighted how his investigation unearthed numerous bank accounts distributing millions from Chinese sponsors to various Biden family members, a pattern he labeled as money laundering.

Meanwhile, Wray's reluctance to cooperate mirrors the FBI's politically charged deviations in recent years. His predecessor, James Comey, openly endorsed Joe Biden for re-election amidst allegations of foreign ties compromising the President's integrity. Comey's endorsement echoed his 2016 political maneuvering, where his team was found to have insufficient evidence against Donald Trump in the Russia collusion case while ignoring allegations against Hillary Clinton.

Presently, the FBI is said to be investigating Hunter Biden, but critics claim the case is progressing slowly, seemingly to favor the Bidens.

The media's role in shaping public perception continues to raise eyebrows, with anonymous sources informing The New York Times and Washington Post that the FBI found no evidence supporting the $5 million bribery claim. Conversely, other news outlets claim that the case remains active.

Wray's handling of the matter fuels further distrust in the agency, particularly as he downplays the significance of the FBI's 2016 election interference, dismissing it as an isolated incident. Unless there's a change in leadership, critics fear this pattern will persist, contributing to the erosion of public trust in the FBI.

Meanwhile, New York faces two crises seemingly linked to the US's porous southern border - an influx of migrants and a drug overdose epidemic. Yet, city authorities seem to ignore the need to urge President Biden to close the border to stem these crises.

Finally, some attention has shifted to Vice President Harris' cognitive health, with observers pointing out her repetitive and confused syntax. A reader, Jim Rowbotham, suggested that she too should undergo a cognitive function test, highlighting an undercurrent of public concern about the administration's mental acuity.