Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus Andy Biggs (R-AZ) and 20 Republican representatives on Tuesday demanded a congressional hearing over the reported mistreatment of January 6 political prisoners being held by the D.C. Department of Corrections, Breitbart News has exclusively learned.
In a letter addressed to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) and House Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Biggs insisted their committees must conduct hearings on the political prisoners’ alleged mistreatment amid reports of civil rights violations:
The defendants are being held in solitary confinement for extended periods of time and there are numerous credible reports that they are being denied access to legal counsel and face retaliation for meeting with legal counsel.
They are being denied medical care, including one defendant who was denied treatment for non-Hodgkin’s. This is a disgusting abuse of power and a clear violation of their civil rights.
The letter also says the treatment of the political prisoners has “been so egregious” that Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), the ACLU, and U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth have spoken against it.
“The allegations of mistreatment are extremely troubling and deserve Congress’ attention,” the letter concluded. “Your committees must immediately hold hearings to investigate the allegations.”
The letter was cosigned by 20 Republican members, some of whom aired their concerns the justice system is abusing its authority.
“Reports of the abusive treatment of prisoners and gross violations of their constitutional rights are extremely disturbing and demand immediate investigation,” co-signer Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL) told Breitbart News. “Congress must hold hearings to ensure transparency and accountability.”
Rep. Barry Moore (R-AL) told Breitbart News the American justice system is predicated on the presumption of innocence.
“Regardless of the charges an incarcerated person faces, correctional authorities should respect and uphold their civil rights and protect their health and safety. In this country, they have the presumption of innocence,” he said.
“The atrocious and inhumane conditions for PRE-TRIAL detainees at the DC Gulag are a clear example of the two-tiered justice system in America,” the firebrand said. “BLM / Antifa domestic terrorists are allowed to walk free after burning down our cities with violent riots, but suspected J6 defendants are subjected to worse treatment than convicted terrorists in Gitmo.”
The 20 co-signers are: Rep. Jay Perry (R-ME), Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Rep. Barry Moore (R-AL), Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX), Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL), Rep. Russ Fulcher (R-ID), Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT), Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL), Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Rep. Jody Hice (R-GA), Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-AZ), Rep. Bob Good (R-VA), Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX), and Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA).
Follow Wendell Husebø on Twitter @WendellHusebø