Justice Department Ready to Work with Congressional Investigators, But Will Not Share Information on Ongoing Cases

The Justice Department has informed the new chair of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, that it is ready to work with congressional investigators, but it will not share information about ongoing cases.

In a letter obtained by NBC News, the Justice Department said that it will not confirm or deny the existence of pending investigations in response to congressional requests, nor will it provide non-public information about its investigations. The letter also stated that any oversight requests must be weighed against the Department’s interests in protecting the integrity of its work.

The letter was sent in response to a request from Rep. Jordan for information on a range of topics, including immigration enforcement at the southern border, investigations into threats against school boards, and some investigations known to be active, such as the department’s criminal probe into classified documents recovered from former President Donald Trump’s Florida resort last year.

Assistant Attorney General Carlos Uriarte wrote in the letter that the Justice Department stands ready to work with congressional investigators, but that it must adhere to its policy of protecting the integrity of its work. He added that the department will continue to cooperate with Congress, but that it must do so in a way that is consistent with its longstanding policy and practice.

The Justice Department’s letter is the first correspondence between the department and the new House Judiciary Committee chair. It is unclear at this time how Rep. Jordan will respond to the letter, or if the department will be able to provide the requested information.