Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) strongly criticized the FBI's refusal to address questions concerning evidence related to an alleged multi-million dollar bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden. The controversy stems from a report Fox News Digital received, indicating that in 2020, the FBI was allegedly informed of a $5 million payment to then-Vice President Biden from a Burisma Holdings executive. Hunter Biden, the president's son, served on the board of the Ukrainian natural gas company.

During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Cruz pressed FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate on several key points: whether the FBI possessed the report detailing the bribery allegations, whether an investigation into these allegations had been conducted, and whether the Senate would be provided with recordings and documents to verify their authenticity. Abbate declined to comment on each inquiry.

President Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, arrive at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, New York, on February 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Cruz accused the FBI of "stonewalling and covering up serious allegations of corruption against the president." The senator's frustration stemmed from Abbate's repeated refusal to answer questions regarding the alleged bribery scheme.

The FBI reportedly possesses an FD-1023 form, documenting an interview with a highly credible confidential source regarding alleged meetings with a top Burisma executive. Furthermore, 17 voice recordings reportedly exist between the Burisma informant and both Joe and Hunter Biden.

Sen. Ted Cruz questions FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate during a Senate hearing. (Screenshot/Judiciary committee)

Abbate's persistent refusal to provide the Senate committee with the FD-1023 and the 17 voice recordings drew sharp criticism from Cruz, who argued that the American public deserves to know if credible evidence exists supporting the bribery allegations against the president. Cruz further contended that if the allegations are unfounded, President Biden himself has the means to disprove them.