Jim Jordan Issues Subpoena to FTC Over Investigation Into Musk Twitter Takeover

House Republicans Request FTC Documents for Musk Twitter Takeover Investigation

Republican leaders in the House Judiciary Committee subpoenaed the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for its investigation into Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter. The committee accuses the agency of making inappropriate and burdensome demands. Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) issued the subpoena to FTC Chairwoman Lina Khan, demanding access to documents and internal communications related to the investigation. Republicans view the FTC’s investigation as an attempt to “weaponize” the federal government against conservatives.

The committee had previously requested documents related to the FTC investigation, which the agency had not fulfilled. The subpoena compels Khan to comply with the request by April 26 at 9 a.m. The committee believes that the FTC will not provide the requested documents voluntarily.

The FTC began its investigation shortly after Musk’s takeover in October. It sent dozens of letters to Twitter employees requesting information about layoffs and the company’s process of sharing internal documents with reporters. The agency also sought all communications related to Musk and initially scheduled a deposition with the billionaire in early February. However, the meeting was later delayed.

The Judiciary Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government’s efforts to accuse the agency of “harassing” Twitter and investigate the company’s conduct outside of the FTC’s jurisdiction. The panel released a 113-page report in early March detailing more than 350 demands from the FTC about the company’s decision-making. Republicans on the Judiciary Committee raised concerns about the FTC’s overreaching when it asked Twitter to identify reporters who gained access to the information.

The committee stated that the timing, scope, and frequency of the FTC’s demands to Twitter suggest a partisan motivation to its action. It believes the FTC’s demand letters failed to provide adequate cover for its action.

The FTC did not respond to a request for comment by the Washington Examiner.