U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) recently joined a letter warning U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland not to allow the Department of Justice (DOJ) to delay releasing information on the presence of federal agents during the Jan. 6, 2021 riots at the U.S. Capitol.
U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) sent the letter, which was joined by Moore and nine other members of the House Judiciary Committee.
Massie has been seeking answers from Garland for several years regarding his decision to arrest certain individuals involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol Hill riot while declining to arrest others, all without receiving answers. Other letters questioning the alleged mistreatment of Jan. 6 prisoners have also gone unanswered.
The most recent letter addresses accusations that the FBI had confidential human sources (CHSs) on the ground on Jan. 6. Last week, Inspector General Michael Horowitz testified that the years-in-the-making report on the riot was available, which would include information on CHSs involved.
Moore joined Massie and the others in criticizing the report's delayed release since the events in question occurred nearly four years ago, and the nation is weeks away from another presidential election.
"The American people deserve to see the contents of this report, and Attorney General Garland must be held accountable if he is holding up its release,” Moore said. "The Attorney General can end speculation on this matter immediately by releasing the report today."
“During your testimony before our Committee on June 4, 2024, Chairman Massie asked you a series of questions about Inspector General Michael Horowitz’s forthcoming report on the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) and its components’ actions before, during, and in response to the events that occurred at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021,” the letter reads. “In response to these questions, you testified that Inspector General Horowitz is 'independent' and 'the determination of the release of Inspector General reports is up to the Inspector General.'”
“You acknowledged that the Justice Department ‘give[s] them independence’ because ‘Congress demands that we give them independence.’ We write to remind you of your commitment.”
The letter implies that the DOJ is intentionally delaying the report's release to prevent any damaging information from negatively affecting the upcoming election.
“As Attorney General, you speak for the entire Department and we appreciate your commitment that DOJ will not attempt to exert control over Inspector General Horowitz with respect to this report,” the letter concludes. “We expect that neither you nor anyone at DOJ will prevent Inspector General Horowitz from releasing this report in his.”
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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