From the Epoch Times: The U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) are under fire after the USCP inspector general opened an investigation into allegations that the department illegally entered the offices of GOP members of Congress, interviewed GOP staffers, and took photos of documents that were protected under congressional rules.

In a Twitter thread, Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) alleged that his office was one of several GOP offices that had been illegally entered and searched by the USCP.

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“The Capitol Police Intelligence Division investigated my office illegally and one of my staffers caught them in the act,” Nehls opened the thread.

“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,” Nehls continued.

“Two days later on Monday November 22, 2021 (Thanksgiving week), three intelligence officers attempted to enter my office while the House was in recess.”

The USCP, Nehls said, “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?” . . .

Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) commented on a retweet of the thread, “This must be investigated fully—and there must be consequences. Also—who knew about this, and when did they know it?”

The investigation was opened at the request of USCP Chief J. Thomas Manger. . . .

Manger replaced former USCP Chief Steven Sund in the wake of the Jan. 6 rally at the behest of Speaker Pelosi. On various occasions, Sund has said that he asked Pelosi appointed Capitol officials to bring in the National Guard on various occasions in advance of the rally, but says that the request was refused each time.

Despite the severity of these allegations, which imply that Pelosi left the Capitol unprepared at a time when tensions were running high, Pelosi admitted on Feb. 3 that she had not given any testimony or documents to the Democrat-dominated Jan. 6 commission.

Republicans, for their part, have vowed to look into Democrats’ missteps ahead of the rally if they take back control of the House in November.

In a press release, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) alleged that President Joe Biden’s Department of Justice (DOJ) was mixed up in the scandal as well.

Gohmert said that in January, he had received mail that was already opened and bore the stamp “DOJ MAILROOM” and “X-RAYED.” Gohmert argued that this search of his mail constituted a violation of the Constitution “since Congressional mail is constitutionally protected under the Speech and Debate Clause.”

“This is felonious behavior,” Gohmert ruled.

Referencing the allegations against the USCP, Gohmert said, “the Democrat’s spying on political opponents appears to know no end.”

He added, “The Supreme Court has made it clear that the Department of Justice cannot even use a search warrant to search a Representative’s mail and office.”

“We want answers to this outrage,” Gohmert concluded, “not excuses.”

The bombshell discoveries are likely to be a key Republican focus in future investigations if they take back the House in November. . . .

(Excerpt from The Epoch Times. Article by Joseph Lord. Photo by Unsplash.)