February 10, 2022 - Washington, D.C. — On Wednesday, Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01) and 26 House Republicans demanded United States Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger to preserve all Capitol Police records related to any investigations or investigative activity into members of Congress and congressional staff.

Congressman Gaetz sent the preservation request as a result of Congressman Troy Nehls (TX-22) exposing Capitol Police officers who entered his office in November 2021, photographed private documents, and returned to interrogate his staff out-of-uniform.

The following members of Congress co-signed the letter to Chief Manger: Reps. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Lauren Boebert (CO-03), Ken Buck (CO-04), Tim Burchett (TN-02), Kat Cammack (FL-03), Madison Cawthorn (NC-11), Michael Cloud (TX-27), Andrew Clyde (GA-09), Bob Gibbs (OH-07), Lance Gooden (TX-05), Paul Gosar (AZ-04), Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14), Yvette Herrell (NM-02), Clay Higgins (LA-03), Ronny Jackson (TX-13), Mike Johnson (LA-04), Thomas Massie (KY-04), Mary Miller (IL-15), Troy Nehls (TX-22), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Scott Perry (PA-10), Bill Posey (FL-08), Matt Rosendale (R-MT), Chip Roy (TX-21), and Thomas Tiffany (WI-07).

Full text of the letter sent to Chief Manger can be found HERE and below:

J. Thomas Manger

Chief of Police

United States Capitol Police

119 D St NE

Washington, DC 20510

Chief Manger:

Please accept this demand for preservation of documents regarding investigations or investigative activities the United States Capitol Police have engaged in regarding members of Congress.

Specifically, the undersigned demand that you preserve all records (including, but not limited to, photographs, documents, recordings, digital images, transcripts, or legislative work products) taken from or of the offices of members of Congress during the 117th Congress.

According to Congressman Nehls, Capitol Police entered his office on November 20, 2021, without his knowledge, and photographed private legislative products, and later on November 22, 2021, three officers, out of uniform, attempted to enter his office and instead conducted an interview of a member of his staff. At no time was Congressman Nehls notified of this desire to re-enter or interview his staff on November 22, 2021.

We further request that you preserve all communications including, but not limited to text messages, phone calls, emails, handwritten communications, as well as all documents including, but not limited to any paper or electronic notes, work products, briefings, dossiers, hard drives, records, and orders between or belonging to any officer, agent, contractor, or persons involved in these investigation activities. 

Please immediately inform me of your intention to comply with this preservation demand. Or, if not, your basis for refusal.

Sincerely,

Matt Gaetz
Member of Congress
Source: Congressman Matt Gaetz