The Justice Department’s Inspector General launched an investigation to see if any former or current officials were involved in an “improper attempt to get the DOJ to try to change the outcome of the 2020 presidential election,” the office announced on Monday.
The opening of the investigation follows a report in The New York Times – and confirmed by NBC News – that former President Donald Trump tried unsuccessfully to get the Justice Department to take legal action in hopes of altering the outcome of the election.
“The investigation will cover all relevant allegations that may arise under the jurisdiction of the OIG,” said Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz.
“The OIG has jurisdiction to investigate allegations regarding the conduct of former and current DOJ officials,” added Horowitz. “OIG’s jurisdiction does not extend to allegations against other government officials.”
The Times reported late on Friday that Jeffrey Clark, the acting head of the Justice Department’s civil division, had devised a plan with Trump to expel incumbent attorney general Jeffrey Rosen and use the Department of Justice to force lawmakers in the Georgia to annul the results of the presidential elections.
The Times reported that senior department officials decided in a conference call that they would resign if Rosen was fired by Trump. The prospect of mass layoffs helped persuade Trump to keep Rosen in place, the Times reported.
A Justice Department official familiar with the events confirmed the report to NBC News.
Clark could not be reached for comment.
