Senator Chuck Grassley has launched a sweeping investigation into the FBI’s “Prohibited Access” file system and alleged misconduct by Special Agent Walter Giardina, accusing the Bureau of obstructing justice in politically sensitive cases.
At a Glance
- Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley opens probe into secret FBI file system
- “Prohibited Access” files allegedly concealed key evidence from Justice officials
- Special Agent Walter Giardina accused of wiping laptop, falsifying Steele Dossier intel
- Whistleblowers say Hunter Biden–Burisma files were hidden from U.S. Attorney searches
- Grassley demands DOJ and FBI produce concealed Mueller-era records
The FBI’s Hidden Archive
A newly launched Senate investigation is zeroing in on the FBI’s use of a covert document classification system—known as “Prohibited Access”—that allegedly allowed agents to bury case files deep within their internal Sentinel database, preventing even Department of Justice officials from locating them. According to The Federalist, former U.S. Attorney Scott Brady said he had never heard of “Prohibited Access” and was never informed about it during his work vetting Hunter Biden and Burisma allegations.
The revelation is raising alarms among lawmakers who argue that the system may have been deliberately exploited to shield political allies and suppress damaging evidence.
Mueller Team Implicated in Document Secrecy
One of the most explosive allegations involves Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s office, where documents tied to the Russia investigation were allegedly marked as “Prohibited Access,” rendering them undiscoverable by other FBI agents. Grassley’s team is now investigating whether Mueller aides used this feature to obscure exculpatory evidence during the Trump-Russia probe—particularly in relation to controversial figures like Nellie Ohr.
Watch a report: Grassley Targets FBI Secrecy in Major Senate Probe.
Agent Giardina Accused of Obstruction
At the heart of the scandal is FBI Special Agent Walter Giardina, who, according to The Gateway Pundit, faces serious allegations including:
- Illegally erasing his government-issued laptop while working for Special Counsel Mueller
- Misrepresenting the Steele Dossier as “corroborated”
- Expressing overt political bias against Trump
- Directing agents to fabricate investigative predicates targeting Trump allies
Giardina is also suspected of leaking sensitive case material to the media in 2024, a move that may have been aimed at damaging Trump ahead of the election.
Blocked Access to Hunter Biden Evidence?
Grassley’s inquiry also casts new light on the alleged suppression of Hunter Biden-related documents. Brady said searches for content linked to Biden’s laptop returned nothing—raising the possibility that such records had been shielded under “Prohibited Access.” If confirmed, it would represent a grave misuse of investigative tools to protect political figures from scrutiny.
Constitution in the Crosshairs
In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, Grassley warned that the concealment of documents from Congress and the courts could “cripple constitutional accountability” and represents “a potentially catastrophic” breach of legal oversight.
With stakes mounting, the Grassley-led inquiry may not only reshape how the FBI handles internal data—it could also revive dormant questions about federal transparency, political bias in law enforcement, and the integrity of investigations touching both Trump and the Biden family.
