House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH) has issued a formal request to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, demanding that they preserve all records related to the Biden administration’s handling of immigration law enforcement. The call for preservation comes as Jordan expressed concern that the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) might be purging critical documents as part of an effort to obstruct congressional oversight.
Jordan’s letters, sent on Friday, highlight his worries about the potential destruction of key records, particularly after reports surfaced of a paper shredding truck being seen outside the DOJ. The Ohio congressman specifically called on both agencies to take steps to prevent the destruction of documents, communications, and electronic data that could be relevant to the ongoing investigation into the administration’s border policies.
Jim Jordan Instructs Garland and Mayorkas to Keep Their Records on Border When Leaving Office
They're already gone, Jim. We all know that, quick grandstandinghttps://t.co/yD0IdgLlVg
— Dark Orange MAGA (@AgitatedMan) November 23, 2024
The chairman’s request includes a broad directive to preserve all forms of communication, including messages from official and personal accounts, text messages, phone-based messaging applications, and encrypted communications. This broad scope underscores Jordan’s concerns that the agencies might be attempting to hide information from Congress as part of an effort to avoid accountability for the administration’s actions.
🚨🇺🇸REP JORDAN LAUNCHES BORDER PROBE INTO GARLAND & MAYORKAS
House Judiciary Chair @Jim_Jordan (R-Ohio) has issued letters to Attorney General Merrick Garland and DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, signaling continued investigations into the Biden administration’s border… pic.twitter.com/kwty71EMoI
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) November 22, 2024
In his letters, Jordan also referenced the longstanding issue of unfulfilled oversight requests, noting that both the DOJ and DHS have ignored numerous requests for information over the past two years. These ongoing failures to cooperate have raised further concerns about the agencies’ commitment to transparency and their willingness to comply with legal obligations.
The Justice Department, in a statement to The Hill, pushed back against the idea that it has engaged in improper record destruction. A spokesperson emphasized that the DOJ adheres to all legal requirements regarding the preservation of records. However, Jordan’s letter makes it clear that his committee will continue to push for full transparency, with a promise that “accountability is coming.”
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan sent a letter to AG Garland and DHS Secretary Mayorkas urging them to preserve all existing and future records related to the BidenHarris administrations enforcement of immigration laws and border laws.https://t.co/h7EnOfdtRF
— Robbie Mouton (@mcgmouton57) November 22, 2024
Jordan’s letter to Mayorkas and Garland is a part of a broader effort by the House Judiciary Committee to investigate the mishandling of border issues under the Biden administration. As winter approaches, the committee’s investigation is poised to ramp up, and Jordan is making it clear that any attempt to withhold or destroy evidence will not be tolerated.
