Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) and Gabe Amo (D-R.I.) have formally requested that the Department of Justice (DOJ) initiate a criminal investigation into Energy Secretary Chris Wright. The referral, made public on Wednesday, alleges that Wright provided false information during his testimony before Congress regarding the administration of green energy grants.

At the heart of the dispute is the question of whether the Department of Energy canceled certain green energy grants due to partisan political considerations. During his congressional testimony, Wright denied that political bias played a role in these administrative decisions. Lofgren and Amo argue that Wright’s testimony contradicts evidence they have gathered, leading them to conclude that he may have misled lawmakers under oath.

This referral marks a significant escalation in the oversight conflict between House Democrats and the current administration’s energy leadership. While the lawmakers have publicly stated their belief that Wright lied, the Department of Justice has not yet indicated whether it will open a formal investigation based on this referral. As of now, the Department of Energy has not issued a detailed public rebuttal to the specific allegations contained in the letter from the two representatives. The situation remains a developing matter of congressional oversight, with the primary point of contention being the accuracy of the Secretary's sworn statements regarding the criteria used for grant cancellations.