Comer seeks interview with Podesta in probe of top climate diplomat

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) requested an interview with White House official John Podesta as part of an investigation into Podesta’s role as the nation’s top climate diplomat.

Comer, in a letter to Podesta on Wednesday, requested a “transcribed interview” to examine his work with the State Department’s Special Presidential Envoy for Climate (SPEC) office.

“The Biden administration has taken affirmative steps to obfuscate oversight of the SPEC office by elevating him to Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy, thereby isolating his new role,” Comer wrote.

“We believe you have information that will fully assist us in understanding the coordination you have with both the Department and the former envoy [John] Kerry on matters related to SPEC,” he added.

In a separate letter, Comer also requested interviews with State Department officials.

The administration announced in January that Podesta, a White House official, would become an adviser on international climate policy after Kerry announced his departure from the administration. Kerry served as special presidential envoy for climate and worked outside the State Department.

Podesta, however, continued to serve in the White House, where he also advises on implementation of the Reducing Inflation Act, the Democrats’ climate, tax and health care bill.

One 2022 defense authorization bill requires special envoys to go through the Senate confirmation process.

The White House and State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story