Kaufman County, TX - Congressman Lance Gooden (R-TX), a prominent member of the House Judiciary Committee, is raising alarms over what he describes as the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) "selective prosecution" of the Adani Group, a major Indian conglomerate. He has formally requested the preservation of all records related to the DOJ's recent indictment of the company, which he believes could have serious repercussions for U.S.-India relations.
Kaufman County, TX - Congressman Lance Gooden (R-TX), a prominent member of the House Judiciary Committee, is raising alarms over what he describes as the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) "selective prosecution" of the Adani Group, a major Indian conglomerate. He has formally requested the preservation of all records related to the DOJ's recent indictment of the company, which he believes could have serious repercussions for U.S.-India relations.
In a letter addressed to Attorney General Merrick Garland dated January 14, 2025, Gooden expressed his deep concerns regarding the DOJ's actions, which target Indian citizens for alleged misconduct that occurred solely within India. “There is no apparent injury to U.S. interests,” he noted, emphasizing that these actions could undermine critical alliances with key partners like India, one of America’s strongest allies in the Asia-Pacific region.
Gooden's follow-up request for document preservation comes as he seeks clarity on the motivations behind the DOJ's decision to pursue charges against the Adani Group, which has been influential in India’s economic landscape. He pointed out that the indictment threatens to disrupt decades of cooperation between the United States and India, a partnership that he argues is essential for both nations' prosperity.
“The Department of Justice’s actions risk damaging critical alliances with key partners like India,” Gooden stated. “Instead of pursuing cases with tenuous jurisdiction and limited relevance to U.S. interests, the DOJ should focus on holding domestic bad actors accountable—starting with those who threaten our electoral process and national security.”
In his letter, Gooden outlined specific records that he wants the DOJ to preserve. These include communications related to the Adani case, particularly any interactions involving former U.S. Attorney Breon S. Peace, who had previously handled the case and has been linked to influential political figures like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and billionaire George Soros. Gooden's concerns center around the potential influence of outside interests on U.S. foreign policy, suggesting that such influences could undermine the integrity of American institutions.
“Given the seriousness and the widespread global consequences at stake, I expect a prompt, thorough, and diligent response to these requests,” Gooden urged, reiterating the need for transparency in the DOJ's decision-making process.
The Congressman concluded his letter by stressing the importance of respecting the sovereignty of a strategic ally like India. He warned that failing to do so could jeopardize decades of goodwill and cooperation, as well as the contributions of millions of Indian Americans who have enriched American society.
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on how the DOJ responds to these demands and whether this investigation will shed light on the complexities of international relations and the role of domestic politics in shaping them.