(PartiallyPolitics.com) – On Tuesday, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, requesting from the Department of Justice access to all records that were produced by the office of special counsel Jack Smith, that relate to Smith’s investigation of former President Donald Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents.
In the letter, Gaetz pointed out that the information is “highly critical” for the oversight work of Congress and that there are many “valid legislative purposes” behind this request. He further pointed out that vetting an office that had “apparently” failed to vet the personnel hired or “worse, might affirmatively be seeking to staff with sanctioned lawyers and partisan hatchet-men (and women)” is just one of the reasons why he is requesting access to this information.
Last week it was announced that Smith’s office was indicting Trump on 37 felony charges which include willful retention of classified documents and obstructing justice. Smith on Friday had stated that it was important for the laws of the country to “apply to everyone.” He added that this investigation was completely focused on that and that it is an important step for the protection of democracy.
However, Gaetz in the letter points out that one of the prosecutors in Smith’s office, Karen Gilbert had to resign as head of the narcotics section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida in 2009 after misconduct “which cost the American taxpayer over $600,000 in a settlement.”
Gaetz has requested that all of the records requested be handed over by July 7.
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