(CNN) House Democrats on Monday asked the Biden administration to hand over long-sought documents from the Trump administration regarding its response to the coronavirus pandemic, renewing an investigation into what role alleged political interference by former officials may have played in the virus' threat. Arguing that the committee needs the documents to continue its investigation, the South Carolina Democratic congressman also alleged that new documents obtained by the committee show the Trump administration took "efforts to suppress science during the pandemic." The documents include an email by former HHS senior adviser Paul Alexander where the committee alleges he "pressured Food and Drug Administration officials to quickly approve emergency use of convalescent plasma and advised them to disregard concerns" from Dr. Anthony Fauci and National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins. The request is the latest example of House Democrats continuing to pursue investigations against former President Donald Trump and his officials after he has left office and comes a day before the Senate impeachment trial against Trump. Clyburn requested both Biden administration officials submit documents from January 1, 2020, to Inauguration Day to the committee by March 1 on "all organizational charts and staff lists" related to the White House's coronavirus pandemic response, documents regarding "public health guidance, plans, or proposals" about the pandemic and weekly reports from the White House Coronavirus Task Force.

Source: CNN February 08, 2021 15:22 UTC