House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH), Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) sent a letter demanding answers from a Bureau of Prisons (BOP) official after the department refused interviews for former White House adviser Peter Navarro while he is incarcerated.
In the letter Thursday, the three Republicans lashed out at BOP Director Colette Peters because Gaetz was denied a meeting with Navarro, who is serving four months in prison for contempt of Congress.
"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," the letter said.
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"[O]n 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," the memo continued. "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."
According to the Republicans, the decision to refuse a meeting with Navarro raised "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," the letter said.