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FBI director picks replacement for supervisory agent who headed Jan. 6, Whitmer probes

The former assistant director left the agency before Republicans had the opportunity to question him while in the House majority.

Published: December 29, 2022 12:02pm

Updated: December 29, 2022 1:26pm

FBI Director Christopher Wray on Thursday announced a new assistant director in charge of the Washington Field Office, which has faced significant questions from congressional Republicans about the handling of politically sensitive cases.

Special Agent Steven D'Antuono, who oversaw the federal law enforcement investigations into the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and the plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, recently announced his retirement as head of the FBI office in Washington D.C.. 

David Sundberg, currently the special agent in charge in New Haven, Conn., was selected by Wray to be the new assistant director in charge of the Washington Field Office, according to new an FBI announcement.

An internal FBI memo circulating last month after the midterm elections indicated that D'Antuono would retire by the end of November and Sundberg would replace him.

D'Antuono left the agency before Republicans taking over the House on Jan. 3 had the opportunity to question him.

House Republican have questioned whether the Washington Field Office exhibited bias or meddled in certain politically sensitive cases involving Donald Trump and Hunter Biden, based on whistleblower complaints they have received.

The FBI has denied any political influence affected investigations.

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