Emerald Coast Times

U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01), along with Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan and Subcommittee Chairman Andy Biggs, has issued a letter to Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Director Colette Peters. The letter calls for her appearance before the Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance following the blocking of an interview request for Peter Navarro.

On May 6th, 2024, Director Peters declined Rep. Gaetz’s request to interview Peter Navarro while he is in BOP custody, stating that he is “too notorious” to be interviewed by a member of Congress. Following this decision, Rep. Gaetz alerted Congress on the House floor that the BOP is holding Mr. Navarro as a political prisoner and denying him the right to meet with his attorney or members of Congress.

The letter subsequently requests Director Peters to testify before the Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance at 2:00 p.m. on June 13th, 2024.

In addition to this matter, the letter also addresses concerns regarding allegations of disparate treatment of inmates in BOP custody for political reasons and reports that BOP is denying Members of this Committee the ability to meet and speak with inmates in BOP custody.

A previous case involving Jason Galanis, an inmate in BOP custody who is a witness in the House’s ongoing impeachment inquiry, was also highlighted. The Committee had written to Director Peters concerning Mr. Galanis's treatment on March 5, 2024. However, their requests were not complied with, leading them to issue a subpoena compelling the production of requested material by May 17, 2024.

The full text of the letter can be found here.