Jim Jordan's 'weaponization' panel could review Trump investigators

Specific language in the resolution creating the committee, empowers it to review "ongoing federal investigations."

By Ben Whedon

Published: January 9, 2023 3:59pm

Updated: January 9, 2023 4:33pm

The upcoming House subcommittee established to review the political "weaponization" of federal agencies is preparing to take aim at the federal agencies investigating former President Donald Trump, including the Department of Justice and FBI.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy agreed to the creation of the panel, among other concessions to House conservatives, as part of a deal that allowed him to secure enough support to claim the gavel.

Specific language in the resolution creating the committee, empowers it to review "ongoing federal investigations," according to The Hill, meaning House lawmakers could potentially explore federal actions against Trump.

Both the Department of Justice and the FBI are pursuing investigations against the former president for his alleged mishandling of classified materials. The FBI raided Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in August of last year, after previously securing his voluntary cooperation in their investigation. The former president had previously complied with a subpoena and permitted agents to examine his personal safe and to remove many documents they had sought.

The raid prompted outrage on the political right, with many GOP leaders, including now-Speaker McCarthy vowing to investigate the bureau's actions.

To that end, the committee will also have the power to access the same information to which the House Intelligence Committee is privy, giving panel members the ability to view some of the intelligence community's most closely guarded materials.

Democrats have excoriated the subcommittee, despite the appointment of five party members to the body.

"Jim Jordan and Kevin McCarthy claim to be investigating the weaponization of the federal government when, in fact, this new select committee is the weapon itself. It is specifically designed to inject extremist politics into our justice system and shield the MAGA movement from the legal consequences of their actions," Democratic New York Rep. Jerry Nadler told ABC News.