By Steve Neavling
House Republicans on Monday subpoenaed Jennifer Leigh Moore, executive assistant director of human resources at the FBI, to testify about claims by conservative employees that they were retaliated against for complaining to lawmakers about senior bureau leaders.
Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan signed the subpoena, which orders Moore to appear in a closed-door meeting under oath on May 10, CNN reports.
Jordan’s spokesman, Russell Dye, alleged in a statement that Moore “refused to answer questions” about retaliation claims during a transcribed interview with the panel on Monday.
“Executive Assistant Director Moore voluntarily answered questions from members and their staffs about the FBI’s security clearance adjudication process for several hours,” the FBI said in a statement Monday, adding that “she did not discuss the details of specific individuals whose cases are still under review to protect the integrity of the process and the privacy of the individuals.”
The bureau “remains fully committed to cooperating with Congress’ oversight requests consistent with its constitutional and statutory responsibilities,” the statement said.
Republicans say “whistleblowers” within the FBI have said the bureau is trying to “purge employees” who have conservative views.
In a letter to Moore in September, Jordan alleged that Moore “retaliated against at least one whistleblower” and revoked the security clearances of other employees.
“We have received protected whistleblower disclosures that the FBI is engaging in a ‘purge’ of employees with conservative views by revoking their security clearances and indefinitely suspending these employees,” Jordan wrote at the time. “Many of the formal notices for these adverse personnel actions have been signed by you.”
In a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray last month, Jordan requested interviews with 16 bureau employees to testify about claims that the FBI has been “weaponized” against conservatives.
Democrats, meanwhile, have cast doubts about the legitimacy and relevance of the claims.
