Press Releases

WASHINGTON — As Washington prepares for the transition of power and the incoming Trump Administration, Speaker Johnson, the House Republican Leadership, and Republican Committee Chairs sent a letter to every Biden-Harris Administration cabinet Secretary demanding they preserve all relevant Department documents and communications.

“As we begin preparation for a new Trump Administration and new Congress, we fully expect your cooperation in a smooth transition of power. To that end, it is imperative that during the transition you fully comply with all statutory record retention requirements, including but not limited to the Federal Records Act,” the letter reads. “In addition to compliance with federal record retention laws, we are also expressly directing that all necessary steps be taken to preserve relevant Department documents and communications.”

Below is the text of the letter. For reference, one of the 18 signed letters can be found here. 

Dear Secretary,

As we begin preparation for a new Trump Administration and new Congress, we fully expect your cooperation in a smooth transition of power. To that end, it is imperative that during the transition you fully comply with all statutory record retention requirements, including but not limited to the Federal Records Act. In addition to compliance with federal record retention laws, we are also expressly directing that all necessary steps be taken to preserve relevant Department documents and communications. 

During the 118th Congress, House Committees conducted robust oversight concerning the Biden-Harris Administration’s disastrous border policies, tragic Afghanistan withdrawal, collusion with social media companies to suppress free speech, and weaponization of federal agencies against its political opponents, as well as the antisemitism at our nation’s universities enabled by leading Democrats.  

In the waning days of this Congress, House Committees will continue to seek compliance with many of the subpoenas with which you largely declined to cooperate. Likewise, as the 119th Congress begins, the Committees may determine that it is necessary to reissue certain subpoenas as they continue with their oversight efforts.  

Thank you in advance for your compliance with this request.

###