Reps. Gaetz, Jordan, Biggs Demand Bureau of Prisons Director to Testify Before Congress After Blocking Peter Navarro Interview

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Washington, D.C.- Today, U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01), along with Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan and Subcommittee Chairman Andy Biggs, sent a letter to Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Director Colette Peters to appear before the Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance after blocking interview request for Peter Navarro.

On May 6^th, 2024, Director Peters denied Rep. Gaetz's request to interview Peter Navarro while he is in the custody of the BOP, claiming he is "too notorious" to be interviewed by a member of Congress. Following the phone call, Rep. Gaetz spoke on the House floor to alert Congress the BOP is holding Mr. Navarro as a political prisoner and not allowing him the right to meet with his attorney or members of Congress. Accordingly, the letter requests Director Peters to testify before the Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance at 2:00 p.m. on June 13^th, 2024.

Full text of the letter to Director Peters can be found HERE. Additionally, exclusive coverage from the Daily Caller can be found HERE.

LETTER TEXT

Dear Director Peters:

The Committee on the Judiciary continues to conduct oversight of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). We write regarding several issues that are of pressing concern to the Committee, including allegations of disparate treatment of inmates in BOP custody for political reasons and reports that BOP is denying Members of this Committee the ability to meet and speak with inmates in BOP custody.

On March 5, 2024, the Committee wrote to you concerning the treatment of Jason Galanis, an inmate in BOP custody who is a witness in the House's ongoing impeachment inquiry. We understand from Mr. Galanis that he has been the "victim of a pattern of retribution by the Department of Justice in order to prevent my home confinement, which would have allowed full and free access to congressional investigators." You failed to comply with our requests, which forced us to issue you a subpoena compelling the production of the requested material. The subpoena compels you to produce this material no later than May 17, 2024.

Separately, on May 6, 2024, a member of the Committee informed the House of Representatives that you denied his request to meet with Peter Navarro, who is currently in federal custody. You allegedly denied this request because Dr. Navarro was "too notorious" to meet with a Member of Congress, and Dr. Navarro has also allegedly been notified that he is not permitted to meet with his attorney. Your refusal to allow a Member of Congress to meet with Dr. Navarro -in addition to BOP's efforts to prevent Mr. Galanis from speaking to Congress- raise serious questions about the politicization of BOP.

Accordingly, we request your testimony at a hearing before the Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance at 2:00 p.m. on June 13, 2024, in Room 2141 of Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing will examine the above issues, among others. Please be prepared to summarize your testimony with a five-minute opening statement and to answer questions posed by Committee Members.

The enclosed Witness Instruction Sheet provides information for witnesses appearing before the Committee. Please note the procedures for submitting written testimony at least two business days prior to the hearing. Please contact Committee staff by May 23, 2023, to confirm your attendance. If you have questions, please contact Jason Cervenak of the Committee staff at(202) 225-6906 or [email protected].

The House Committee on the Judiciary has jurisdiction over the Bureau of Prisons pursuant to House Rule X. If you have any questions about these requests, please contact Committee staff at (202) 225-6906

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
Jim Jordan
Chairman

Andy Biggs
Chairman​​​​​​​
Subcommittee on Crime and Federal​​​​​​​ Government Surveillance

Matt Gaetz
Member of Congress

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