Fact check
“Collins stated that the Biden-led Justice Department and FBI cleared her office, her campaign and her five years ago of seven‑year‑old allegations.”
Reasoning
ProPublica articles contain verbatim quotes from Collins: “In 2021, the Biden Justice Department found there was no wrongdoing by anyone on my campaign staff, my office or me.” and “The Biden-led Justice Department and FBI totally cleared my office, my campaign and me five years ago of these seven‑year‑old allegations.” These excerpts confirm she made the claim.
On confidence: Multiple primary sources directly quote Senator Collins making the statement about the Biden-led Justice Department and FBI clearing her office, campaign, and herself five years ago.
Important context
While the statement is verified as something Collins said, other evidence indicates the underlying investigation did not occur under the Biden administration and was not seven years old, but the fact‑check focuses on the accuracy of the reported statement itself.
Evidence
Supporting (2)
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceProPublica Debunks Susan Collins’ Claims About FBI Anti-Corruption Probe — ProPublica
review, which was in its early stages. After the story published, Collins and her campaign denied any wrongdoing in numerous media appearances. Some of the statements made by Collins and her representatives are not accurate. Collins : “In…
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceProPublica Debunks Susan Collins’ Claims About FBI Anti-Corruption Probe — ProPublica
which was in its early stages. After the story published, Collins and her campaign denied any wrongdoing in numerous media appearances. Some of the statements made by Collins and her representatives are not accurate. Collins : “In 2021,…
Contradicting (3)
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceProPublica Debunks Susan Collins’ Claims About FBI Anti-Corruption Probe — ProPublica
ago “and ultimately found nothing implicating Senator Collins or Senator Collins’ campaign.” But the investigation at the center of ProPublica’s story was based on claims Kao made between 2022 through 2024 — not seven years ago, as Collins…
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceProPublica Debunks Susan Collins’ Claims About FBI Anti-Corruption Probe — ProPublica
ultimately found nothing implicating Senator Collins or Senator Collins’ campaign.” But the investigation at the center of ProPublica’s story was based on claims Kao made between 2022 through 2024 — not seven years ago, as Collins states.…
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceFBI Eyed Susan Collins Over Defense Contractor’s Donations — ProPublica
revelations is dead. And the government is no longer talking to an informant who had offered a road map to corruption in Congress. The White House referred ProPublica to the FBI. FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson said the agency had…
Contextual (1)
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceSusan Collins slams ‘political hit job’ on Justice Department probe
Schumer and Democrats for the controversy. Collins faces Democrat Troy Jackson in November. “This was investigated by the Biden Justice Department and the FBI,” Collins said. “In 2021, the Biden Justice Department found there was no…
Limitations
The sources do not provide independent verification of the factual accuracy of the clearance claim; they only confirm Collins' statements. No additional sources were consulted beyond the provided ProPublica excerpts.
- Last verified:
- Sep 27, 2026, 4:48 AM CDT
- Pipeline:
- 2.1.0
- Claim type:
- Factual
Where this claim appeared
Susan Collins Dismissed Our Reporting as Old News. Some of Her Claims Aren’t True.ProPublica · William Turton