Staff Reports
House Speaker Mike Johnson has taken a decisive step that signals a new era in Washington, D.C., one that holds the Biden administration accountable for its questionable practices. Johnson has instructed all 18 federal departments to preserve records and communications from the outgoing administration as Trump prepares to reclaim the White House. Given the previous administration’s propensity for creating chaos and distractions, especially around deadlines, this move is both timely and necessary.
This directive comes in the wake of numerous controversial policies and decisions made during Biden’s time in office, including the fiasco that was the Afghanistan withdrawal and the ongoing border crisis. There are fears among conservatives that some Biden officials may be tempted to delete inconvenient records that might correlate with their questionable decisions. If any records end up mysteriously disappearing, the consequences could be severe, including federal criminal penalties. With Trump’s team gearing up for a smooth transition on January 20, 2025, the hunt for evidence of Biden’s missteps is officially on.
Exclusive — Speaker Johnson Orders Entire Biden Administration to Preserve and Retain All Records and Documents https://t.co/TluFDCROfM via @BreitbartNews
— Don'tPassMeBy (@jamesbo26445798) November 13, 2024
Comparisons to the last transition of power in 2016 reveal a marked difference in Republican preparedness. Johnson’s aggressive stance demonstrates that the party is not merely focused on cleaning house but seems hell-bent on tackling the corruption that has festered throughout federal agencies. It’s as if the message to Biden’s crew is crystal clear: this time, Republicans aren’t arriving with paper towels, but instead with a full cleaning crew ready to scrub every corner clean.
One specific letter directed at Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su highlights Johnson’s commitment to oversight. The letter serves as a not-so-subtle reminder that Congress expects compliance during this transfer of power. The speaker emphasized that every department is expected to adhere to federal record retention laws and take all necessary steps to ensure that important documents are preserved. It’s a call to order that they can’t walk away from in their last days of power as if they were packing for a cozy vacation.
The overarching themes of Johnson’s letter reveal a laser-focused agenda aimed at some of the Biden administration’s most contentious issues. The topics of oversight range from the disaster at the southern border to the anti-free speech antics at social media companies tied to the government. With all eyes on how the new Congress will navigate these matters, it appears that the Biden administration’s lack of compliance with previous subpoenas will not merely be brushed under the rug. Instead, it could lead to a robust offensive in the upcoming congressional sessions.
As the clock winds down on the Biden administration, the stakes are as high as they can be for both sides in the political arena. Johnson’s strategy signifies that the new Republican majority is ready to delve into the multifaceted crises created over the past four years. The anticipation surrounding what evidence might surface is palpable—if nothing else, it’s sure to make for some engaging political drama in the months ahead.
