By Sarah N. Lynch
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - FBI Director Chris Wray rejected Republicans' wide-ranging criticism at a congressional hearing on Wednesday that targeted everything from the bureau's handling of a probe into Hunter Biden to claims it encouraged social media companies to censor conservative views.
Wray appeared before the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee panel for the first time since former President Donald Trump was indicted for retaining highly classified documents and obstructing justice.
His appearance also marks the first time he has testified since President Joe Biden's son Hunter was criminally charged with two misdemeanor tax counts, while avoiding a felony gun charge through a pretrial diversion agreement with prosecutors.
Republicans have repeatedly accused the FBI and other federal agencies of "weaponizing" their law enforcement and regulatory powers to silence critics on the right, target political enemies and protect political allies.
House Republicans have claimed without evidence that the documents case against Trump is politically motivated.
They have also pointed to testimony by an IRS whistleblower as proof that the department interfered with the Hunter Biden probe - a claim that both Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney in charge of the probe have denied.
"Are you protecting the Bidens?" asked Republican Representative Matt Gaetz.
"Absolutely not," replied Wray, a fellow...
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