Jordan Threatens Funding Unless New FBI HQ Leaves DC Area — And He Has A Suggestion

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) is pushing for the FBI to move its headquarters outside of the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area, suggesting Alabama as an alternative location.

A letter he sent on Tuesday to House Appropriations Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-TX) argues that his panel is concerned about politicization in federal law enforcement, fueled by its concentration in the nation’s capital.

In making one of several recommendations for government spending in fiscal 2024, Jordan further argued the “centralization of FBI operations in the National Capitol Region has led to duplication of activity best left to the respective field offices, contributed to reduced autonomy in local field offices, and allowed improper political influence to taint law enforcement investigations and activity.”

Jordan went on to lay out possible language for his suggested provision.

“None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to build a new FBI headquarters,” the chairman wrote. “In addition, the FBI is directed to submit an operational plan within 90 days to move the FBI Headquarters out of the National Capital Region.”

He added, “The operational plan should also consider the existing resources and infrastructure available at the FBI’s Redstone Arsenal Campus in Huntsville, AL.”

The FBI’s current headquarters, the J. Edgar Hoover Building, started being built in Washington, D.C., during the 1960s and was completed in the 1970s.

The federal government has been looking to get a new headquarters in the D.C. area for more than a decade now. Delegations from Maryland and Virginia are fighting over the project as the General Services Administration weighs locations selected in both states.

Local reporting in Alabama indicates that the FBI’s Redstone Arsenal Campus is growing, but the bureau told The Wall Street Journal that its facilities could not hold the 8,500 personnel it hopes to put in the new headquarters around the D.C. region. The FBI also claimed there are “numerous operational reasons” to keep the HQ close to the nation’s capital, such as its proximity to the bureau’s academy near Quantico, Virginia, and intelligence agencies.

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), who has advocated for the new FBI to come to his state, told The Wall Street Journal that a move to Alabama “ain’t gonna happen.” And he argued “the issue is what serves the needs of the agency. The FBI wants to stay in the D.C. metro area, so that’s where it’s going to be.”

When pressed for comment, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle told AL.com, “We’re proud of the FBI presence in Huntsville and will support whatever Congress decides is best for the betterment of our country.”

Trump ‘Unlikely’ To Participate In Republican Party Primary Debates

Former President Donald Trump is “unlikely” to participate in the Republican Party’s primary debates, according to one of his top advisors.

In an interview Tuesday on “The Hill” on NewsNation, senior Trump advisor Jason Miller, said, “At the moment, President Trump has indicated that he’s unlikely to participate, at least in the first two debates.”

“It really wouldn’t make much sense for him to go and debate right now with a bunch of folks who are down at three, four and five percent,” Miller continued.

“So ultimately, President Trump will make a decision as we get closer,” he concluded. “He has not said anything definitive, one way or the other. I’m not expecting him to participate, though.”

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is Trump’s top challenger in the primary as the rest of the candidates poll in the low-single digits.

DeSantis told Fox News last week that he will be at the debate regardless of whether or not Trump shows up.

“I’ll be there, regardless,” DeSantis asserted. “I hope everybody who is eligible comes. I think it is an important part of the process, and I look forward to being able to be on the stage and introducing our candidacy and our vision and our leadership to a wide audience.”

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu mocked Trump this week over speculation that he may seek to avoid participating in the debates because he may not perform well.

Sununu made the remarks during an interview on Fox News with host Sandra Smith when she asked what the debates would look like without Trump there.

“Former President Trump, the tough guy?” Sununu said while laughing. “The guy that says he’s gonna fight for America, but he’s not willing to stand up, he’s gonna wimp out? Wimp out and not get on that debate stage?”

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu (R) on Trump potentially avoiding debates: “Former President Trump, the tough guy? The guy that says he’s gonna fight for America, but he’s not willing to stand up, he’s gonna wimp out? Wimp out and not get on that debate stage?” pic.twitter.com/LHUcmtMjOc

— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) July 11, 2023

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