Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) has accused the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) of “illegally” investigating his office.
The allegations have triggered the inspector general for the USCP to open a formal investigation.
The IG probe is looking into whether the agency meant to secure the Capitol has been inappropriately surveilling elected members of Congress, their staff, and visitors to their offices.
The story went viral today when Nehls went public with what happened to him.
“The @CapitolPolice Intelligence Division investigated my office illegally and one of my staffers caught them in the act,” Nehls said on Twitter.
“On November 20th, 2021, Capitol Police entered my office without my knowledge and photographed confidential legislative products protected by the Speech and Debate clause enshrined in the Constitution, Article 1 Section 6.
“Two days later on Monday November 22, 2021 (Thanksgiving week), three intelligence officers attempted to enter my office while the House was in recess.
“Upon discovering a member of my staff, special agents dressed like construction workers began to question him as to the contents of a photograph taken illegally two days earlier.
“@CapitolPolice never informed myself or senior level staff of their investigation and the reasons are clear.
“They had no authority to photograph my office, let alone investigate myself or members of my staff.
“So, why is the Capitol Police Leadership maliciously investigating me in an attempt to destroy me and my character?
“Maybe it is because I have been a vocal critic of @SpeakerPelosi, the @January6thCmte, and @CapitolPolice leadership about their handling of January 6th.”
USCP Chief J. Thomas Manger wrote to seven Republican lawmakers confirming he opened an investigation into the matter.
“While I am confident in our methods, I am asking the USCP Office of the Inspector General to review the USCP’s programs related to these security assessments to assure both this Committee, the Congress as a whole, and the public that these processes are legal, necessary, and appropriate,” Manger wrote.
????BREAKING????
The @CapitolPolice Intelligence Division investigated my office illegally and one of my staffers caught them in the act.
Thread????
— Congressman Troy Nehls (@RepTroyNehls) February 8, 2022
They had no authority to photograph my office, let alone investigate myself or members of my staff.
So, why is the Capitol Police Leadership maliciously investigating me in an attempt to destroy me and my character?
— Congressman Troy Nehls (@RepTroyNehls) February 8, 2022
Axios reported earlier on Nehls efforts:
House Republicans, conducting their own investigation of the Jan. 6 insurrection, plan to accuse the Capitol security apparatus of “negligence at the highest levels,” Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) tells Axios.
Why it matters: By placing blame on the building’s top security officials, this shadow investigation gives the GOP an alternative frame for discussing the 2021 Capitol assault.
Banks told us the GOP investigators — who consist of exiles denied seats on the formal Jan. 6 committee, controlled by Democratic leaders — have “absolutely” uncovered new information.
The group plans to issue a report, including legislative recommendations, before this fall’s midterms.
