President Trump told NBC News on Sunday that he believes it is possible that the Department of Justice could be investigating former F.B.I. Director Christopher Wray.
The president’s statement came just days after the indictment of James B. Comey, another former F.B.I. director and perceived foe of Mr. Trump’s.
In a phone interview, Mr. Trump accused Mr. Wray of “inappropriate” behavior and said he “would think” the Justice Department is investigating him.
“I would imagine. I would certainly imagine. I would think they are doing that,” Mr. Trump told NBC. He added: “Don’t forget, we just found out about all of these F.B.I. agents being there.”
Mr. Trump appeared to be referring to reports in conservative media that 274 plainclothes F.B.I. agents were at the Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, pro-Trump riot, leading Mr. Trump, Kari Lake and others to accuse the agency of being involved in an inside job whose purpose was to incite a riot and frame Trump supporters.
Those claims are false.
The Department’s inspector general has already found that there is no evidence that undercover agents were in the crowd when the riot broke out.
F.B.I. Director Kash Patel tried to clarify the matter on Fox News, saying that agents had been sent to the Capitol for “crowd control” purposes after the riot had already been declared. But he nevertheless accused Mr. Wray of lying to Congress.
In 2023, Mr. Wray said in testimony to a House committee: “If you are asking if the violence at the Capitol was part of some operation orchestrated by F.B.I. sources or agents, the answer is no.”
For years, Mr. Trump has sought to rewrite the history of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, including seeking investigations into those who investigated him and his supporters. He pardoned all those involved in the mayhem, including those serving prison sentences for brutal attacks on police officers.
Since winning a second term in office, Mr. Trump has carried out a campaign of retribution against those he views as his political enemies. He has made clear he believes he can order the Justice Department to go after those he targets.
On Sept. 20, Mr. Trump posted a social media message to Attorney General Pam Bondi demanding action against Mr. Comey; Senator Adam B. Schiff, Democrat of California; and Letitia James, the New York attorney general.
“Pam: I have reviewed over 30 statements and posts saying that, essentially, ‘same old story as last time, all talk, no action.’ Nothing is being done. What about Comey, Adam ‘Shifty’ Schiff, Leticia??? They’re all guilty as hell, but nothing is going to be done,” he wrote.
Days later, Mr. Comey was indicted, accused of lying to Congress. He has maintained his innocence and has said he is the victim of a targeted prosecution.
Luke Broadwater covers the White House for The Times.
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