Jordan subpoenas Garland over alleged DOJ spying on Congress
House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan Subpoenas Attorney General Merrick Garland
House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) made an explosive announcement on Tuesday, revealing that he has subpoenaed Attorney General Merrick Garland. The subpoena is in relation to alleged efforts to surveil members of Congress and congressional staff, including during the infamous Russiagate controversy that shook former President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and administration.
In a cover letter addressed to Garland, Jordan expressed his frustration with the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) inadequate response to his previous request for information. Jordan stated that his panel “must resort to compulsory process” and emphasized that potential legislative reforms could follow.
The DOJ had previously informed the committee that the legal process it used was related to an investigation into the unauthorized disclosure of classified information. However, Jordan cited news reports indicating that the inquiry was connected to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) surveillance of Carter Page, a former Trump campaign associate. The DOJ inspector general heavily criticized this surveillance, which the DOJ itself later admitted had insufficient predication to last as long as it did.
Furthermore, government watchdog group Empower Oversight revealed that the DOJ had subpoenaed Google for personal communication records of its founder, Jim Foster, back in 2017. Foster was serving as chief investigative counsel to then-Senate Judiciary Chairman Charles Grassley (R-IA) at the time. This subpoena was issued while Grassley and his team were investigating the DOJ’s handling of the Christopher Steele dossier, which was used by the FBI to obtain authority to wiretap Page during the investigation into alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russia.
According to Empower Oversight, the subpoena also targeted other staffers from both Republican and Democratic parties who were conducting oversight investigations of the Justice Department. This information raises serious concerns about the Executive Branch’s use of its law-enforcement authority to gather and search the private communications of Legislative Branch employees.
“Because the Department has not complied in full with our requests, we cannot independently determine whether the Department sought to alleviate the heightened separation-of-powers sensitivities involved or whether the Department first sought the information through other means before resorting to legal process,” Jordan wrote in his cover letter to Garland. “The Committee also has concerns that aspects of the Department’s investigation may have been a pretext to justify piercing the Legislative Branch’s deliberative process and improperly access data from Members and staff involved in conducting oversight of the Department.”
The Daily Wire has reached out to the DOJ for comment.
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What information and documents is the subpoena issued by Chairman Jordan seeking in relation to the DOJ’s surveillance activities and investigation into unauthorized leaks?
Le for data on members of Congress, journalists, and Trump associates as part of its investigation into leaks of classified information. This revelation raised concerns about the potential abuse of power and infringement on privacy rights.
Jordan’s subpoena seeks information and documents related to the DOJ’s surveillance activities and the investigation into unauthorized leaks. He emphasized that the committee has a constitutional oversight responsibility to ensure that the DOJ is acting within the bounds of the law and not infringing on the rights of American citizens.
The subpoena comes amid growing frustrations from Republicans over the lack of transparency and cooperation from the DOJ. Jordan accused the department of stonewalling and called for a thorough investigation into the alleged surveillance abuses. He asserted that the American people deserve to know the truth about what happened during the Russiagate controversy and whether there were any violations of civil liberties and constitutional rights.
This move by Jordan reflects a broader tension between Republicans and the Biden administration over issues related to law enforcement and the balance between national security and civil liberties. Republicans have been critical of the DOJ’s handling of various matters, including the prosecution of January 6th insurrectionists, voting rights, and immigration policies.
While it is unclear how Garland will respond to the subpoena, it is expected that the issue will escalate and potentially result in a legal battle between the House Judiciary Committee and the DOJ. This clash could have significant implications for the functioning of the justice system and the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches.
As the House Judiciary Chairman, Jordan has a duty to hold the executive branch accountable and ensure that justice is served. If there were any abuses of power or violations of the law, it is crucial that they are thoroughly investigated and appropriate action is taken. The subpoena represents an important step in this process and underscores the need for transparency, accountability, and the protection of civil liberties.
Ultimately, the outcome of this subpoena and the subsequent investigation will have significant ramifications for the future of American democracy. It will determine whether the government is held accountable for its actions, whether the rights of individuals are respected, and whether there is trust and confidence in the justice system. The American people deserve answers, and it is the responsibility of Chairman Jordan and the House Judiciary Committee to seek the truth.
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