A newly revealed internal FBI memo warning about ties between traditionalist Catholic ideology and violent extremism was circulated to over 1,000 FBI staffers, Senator Chuck Grassley disclosed this week.

Documents show that the FBI’s memo, first traced to a Virginia field office, was far more expansive and collaborative than originally stated, involving multiple offices and contradicting key congressional testimony, The Christian Post reported.

The memo originated from the bureau’s Richmond, Virginia, field office and was dated January 2023. It suggested links between certain traditionalist Catholic groups and racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists.

The internal report flagged “radical-traditionalist Catholic ideology” as a concern. Alongside the original memo, additional documents—at least 13 in total with five attachments—referenced that same term.

According to Grassley’s review, the documents relied heavily on material from the Southern Poverty Law Center, a group he and others described as politically biased. The SPLC has been criticized by some lawmakers for categorizing certain religious groups as extremist.

FBI Field Offices Beyond Richmond Were Involved

Contrary to the FBI’s initial explanation that the memo came from a single office, Grassley’s findings revealed that regional offices in Kentucky, Oregon, and Wisconsin also contributed. These offices included FBI divisions in Louisville, Portland, and Milwaukee.

The Richmond office also drafted a second version of the memo intended for broader distribution across the FBI, but that version was never released. The second draft was reportedly halted after the first version sparked backlash.

Grassley claimed that then-FBI Director Christopher Wray misrepresented details about the origin and dissemination of the document during his testimony before Congress. Wray had stated in July 2023 that the memo was limited to the Richmond office and had been retracted.

Sen. Grassley Pressed FBI for Transparency

Between March 2023 and January 2024, Grassley sent multiple letters to Wray, requesting details on how the memo was produced and spread within the agency. He expressed frustration that his requests were largely unanswered.

In December 2023, Wray reiterated that other field offices had merely contributed minor case-based references. Grassley countered that this explanation was misleading and failed to acknowledge broader collaboration or the creation of the second draft.

Grassley stated that additional documents and context proved the memo was not a "one-office product" and deserved broader scrutiny. He highlighted the need for greater accountability and record transparency.

CatholicVote and Others Respond to Memo’s Reach

Joshua Mercer, a co-founder of CatholicVote, denounced the internal memo and urged the FBI to address ongoing concerns raised by its existence. He also called for the termination of staff involved in drafting the memo.

“This frontal assault on the First Amendment should horrify every American — and it must never be allowed to happen again,” Mercer stated.

In a follow-up demand, he asked FBI Director Kash Patel to disclose specific steps being taken to reverse any policies tied to the memo. Mercer emphasized that individuals responsible should be removed from their roles, and any religious surveillance should end immediately.

New Leadership Commits to Review

During his confirmation hearing in January 2024, newly appointed FBI Director Kash Patel responded to questions from Senator Josh Hawley about the memo’s status. Patel pledged to hold involved personnel accountable.

In light of Patel’s confirmation, Grassley continues to request full transparency. He has called on Patel to release all records related to the memo’s content, development, and distribution.

Despite multiple inquiries, the FBI has not responded publicly to Grassley’s latest findings. The agency declined to comment when asked about ongoing internal reviews or the status of memo-related materials.