Statement from Ranking Member Connolly on Trump Administration’s Efforts to Silence Rep. Garcia

Washington, D.C. (February 20, 2025) — Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, released a statement in light of the Trump Administration and interim D.C. U.S. attorney Ed Martin’s campaign to silence Congressman Garcia and stymie Congressional oversight:

“This is a shameful attempt to silence and stifle congressional oversight.  Mr. Martin – an organizer, financier, and legal representative for the January 6th insurrection – is weaponizing the Justice Department to carry out the President's retribution tour.  This ‘Operation Whirlwind’ is a smokescreen meant to distract from the true intentions of the Trump Administration: silencing criticism and snuffing out any attempt to exercise oversight of their misdeeds and perversion of the law.  I can assure you that Congressman Garcia and our fellow Oversight Democrats will not be deterred by these threats, and we will continue to fight to safeguard our democracy and protect the rights of the American people we serve.”