Former FBI Director James Comey (L) tweeted Saturday: "Happy Thanksgiving. Got a subpoena from House Republicans." Former Attorney General Loretta Lynch received a subpoena as well. | Alex Wong/Getty Images Legal House Republicans subpoena Comey, Lynch for closed-door testimony

House Republicans served up some subpoenas with their Thanksgiving turkey this week, issuing last-minute demands for former FBI Director James Comey and former Attorney General Loretta Lynch to appear for closed-door testimony on Dec. 3 and Dec. 4, respectively.

The subpoenas, issued Wednesday but revealed publicly Thanksgiving morning, completed the threats issued by GOP committee chairman Bob Goodlatte earlier in the week.


Comey had rejected an earlier invitation from the committee to testify privately and instead asked for a public hearing. Democrats say they prefer the hearing to be public as well.

Republicans have been investigating the FBI and Justice Department's decision-making in 2016 and 2017, contending that deep-seated anti-Trump bias among senior officials led the bureau to downplay its probe of Hillary Clinton's private email server and home in on the investigation of Trump campaign connections with Russia. Trump himself has cheered on the attacks, calling the Russia probe a "witch hunt" and contending that Comey and his inner circle were corrupt.

But Democrats say the GOP investigation itself is a partisan attempt to build up a conspiracy theory and protect Trump from the ongoing Russia probe, now led by special counsel Robert Mueller.

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Democrats have vowed to revisit the president's attacks on the FBI and Justice Department when they take the House majority in January. They've also pleaded with Republicans to protect Mueller from any attempts by Trump or his appointed acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker to interfere in the probe.

Comey tweeted Thursday: "Happy Thanksgiving. Got a subpoena from House Republicans. I’m still happy to sit in the light and answer all questions. But I will resist a “closed door” thing because I’ve seen enough of their selective leaking and distortion. Let’s have a hearing and invite everyone to see."

Comey's attorney, David Kelley, said: "Mr. Comey embraces and welcomes a hearing open to the public, but the subpoena issued yesterday represents an abuse of process, a divergence from House rules and its presumption of transparency. Accordingly, Mr. Comey will resist in Court this abuse of process."

A Lynch attorney could not immediately be reached.