Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and Ranking Member Dick Durbin issued a joint statement following the Trump administration’s decision to exclude their committee from a Capitol Hill briefing on the arrest of Nicolás Maduro. Maduro was indicted for drug trafficking and narco-terrorism conspiracy.
In their statement, Grassley and Durbin said: “President Trump and Secretary Rubio have stated that this was a law enforcement operation that was made at the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) request, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The Senate Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction over DOJ, FBI and DEA, and all three agencies are led by individuals who our Committee vetted and processed. The Attorney General herself will be present at today’s briefing.
“There is no legitimate basis for excluding the Senate Judiciary Committee from this briefing. The administration’s refusal to acknowledge our Committee’s indisputable jurisdiction in this matter is unacceptable and we are following up to ensure the Committee receives warranted information regarding Maduro’s arrest.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee is responsible for oversight of federal judicial matters, including supervision of law enforcement agencies such as DOJ, FBI, and DEA. The committee also evaluates candidates for federal judicial positions and plays a role in shaping policies related to constitutional rights and public safety. Its work includes reviewing legislation on criminal justice issues, civil liberties, and conducting oversight hearings with federal agencies. More information about its functions can be found on its official website.
Chaired by Senator Grassley with members from both major political parties, the committee operates out of Washington, D.C., where it influences national policy through legislative review and oversight activities.
