On Monday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) declined to provide to Jim Jordan, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee with most of the information that was requested regarding Joe Biden's alleged mishandling of classified documents, at least until the investigation is completed.
Deputy Attorney General Carlos Uriarte confirmed that the DOJ received the Republican representative's letter requesting access to the special prosecutor's investigation of Biden as part of theHouse Judiciary Committee's own ongoing investigation.
However, the DOJ informed Jordan that it would withhold much of the details of the case on the grounds that it could compromise its ongoing investigation and risk a political conflict.
"Disclosures to Congress about active investigations risk jeopardizing those investigations and creating the appearance that Congress may be exerting improper political pressure or attempting to influence Department decisions in certain cases. Judgments about whether and how to pursue a matter are, and must remain, the exclusive responsibility of the Department," said Uriarte.
DOJ today tells Rep. Jordan and House Judiciary (again) it will not be providing “non-public information” about ongoing special counsel investigations.
“The Department’s long-standing policy is to maintain the confidentiality of such information regarding open matters.” pic.twitter.com/cgnwGoN8dl
— Luke Broadwater☀️ (@lukebroadwater) January 30, 2023
The DOJ also indicated that because a special counsel has already been appointed to oversee Biden's case, it is subject to certain regulations that only allow for the release of certain information at the beginning and end of the investigation.
"These regulations govern the department’s conduct in all special counsel investigations and will continue to govern our disclosures in this matter," the prosecutor stated.
The possibility of issuing subpoenas is opened
Following the DOJ's refusal to be transparent with the House committee, subpoenas may be issued allowing access to documents in the case.
A few days ago, Jordan said he would consider such a move if the DOJ continued to withhold information.
Response to the letter
Just this Monday, Russell Dye, spokesman for the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, responded to the DOJ's decision: "It's concerning, to say the least, that the department is more interested in playing politics than cooperating."
