Ex-FBI agent Tim Thibault won't testify to House Judiciary Committee on Hunter Biden probe

Former FBI agent Timothy Thibault will not participate in the House Judiciary Committee's investigation into the Federal Bureau of Investigation's handling of matters related to Hunter Biden, according to a letter sent by his lawyer earlier this month.

Thibault has been at the center of controversy involving both President Joe Biden's family as well as investigations into former President Donald Trump's 2020 campaign. The FBI agent, who left the agency this summer, has labored under suspicions of partisan bias for his role in both investigations. Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley has accused Thibault of trying to shut down federal inquiries into Hunter Biden. 

The New York Post reported Saturday that Thibault's lawyer told the House Judiciary Committee that his client would not be able to abide by their request to interview him due to the fact that "the subject matter pertains to sensitive law enforcement information and/or pending investigations."

Republicans had also asked Thibault to preserve any communications in his possession related to his FBI work, though his lawyer noted that Thibault "no longer possesses an FBI laptop or mobile device, and he no longer has access to the FBI’s records and materials."

Several Republicans responded to Thibault's refusal on Friday by claiming there was "no rationale or legal basis" for it. 

“Your testimony is necessary for our oversight, and you can be assured that Committee Republicans will continue to pursue this matter into the 118th Congress," they wrote.