Comey, Rice, Clapper among GOP senator's targets for subpoenas amid Obama-era probe

Some of the most high-profile figures of the Obama administration are among a list of officials Sen. Ron JohnsonRonald (Ron) Harold JohnsonGraham: Trump will 'be helpful' to all Senate GOP incumbents Partisan headwinds threaten Capitol riot commission Cruz hires Trump campaign press aide as communications director MORE (R-Wis.) would like to subpoena as part of his investigation into the FBI's probe of Russian election meddling and the Trump campaign. 

The list, released by Johnson's office on Thursday night, comes after he scheduled a committee vote for June 4 to seek subpoena authority. 

Former FBI Director James ComeyJames Brien ComeyJohn Durham's endgame: Don't expect criminal charges Trump DOJ officials sought to block search of Giuliani records: report Tina Fey, Amy Poehler to host Golden Globes from separate coasts amid pandemic MORE, former national security adviser Susan Rice, former Director of National Intelligence James ClapperJames Robert ClapperThe biggest example of media malfeasance in 2020 is... Meet Biden's pick to lead the US intelligence community The new marshmallow media in the Biden era MORE and former CIA Director John BrennanJohn Owen BrennanOnline and frighteningly real: 'A Taste of Armageddon' The biggest example of media malfeasance in 2020 is... Meet Biden's pick to lead the US intelligence community MORE are among dozens of officials Johnson will request authority to subpoena. 

"I am asking for this authority to ensure the committee has the ability to quickly and efficiently seek compulsory process should it become necessary. We have a great tradition in this country of peaceful and cooperative transitions of power, and the American people deserve to know if any wrongdoing occurred to corrupt the process and sabotage the new administration," Johnson said in a statement.

He added that they were voting on the authorization "with the hope that subpoenas won’t be necessary."

In addition to requesting authority to subpoena specific individuals, Johnson also wants authority to issue subpoenas to the FBI for records related to Crossfire Hurricane, the name for its investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election and the Trump campaign; the State Department for any records related to Christopher Steele, who compiled a controversial research dossier against then-candidate Trump; and the Department of Justice's Office of Inspector General for records related to its review of surveillance warrant applications related to former Trump campaign aide Carter Page. 

Johnson is also requesting the authority to subpoena documents from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence related to attempts to "unmask" individuals tied to the Trump campaign, transition team or White House through January 2017.

Johnson told reporters earlier this month that he would probe the investigation of former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn, after the Justice Department's decision to drop its case against him. 

Flynn was fired by President TrumpDonald TrumpNoem touts South Dakota coronavirus response, knocks lockdowns in CPAC speech On The Trail: Cuomo and Newsom — a story of two embattled governors McCarthy: 'I would bet my house' GOP takes back lower chamber in 2022 MORE in 2017 for misleading Vice President Pence about his conversations with then-Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak. 

The vote to give Johnson the wide-ranging subpoena authority comes after the committee voted along party lines last week to issue a subpoena for Blue Star Strategies, a U.S. firm with ties to Ukraine gas company Burisma Holdings, as part of Johnson's investigation into Hunter Biden. Currently under the committee's rules a subpoena can only be issued with the agreement of Sen. Gary PetersGary PetersDeJoy set for grilling by House Oversight panel Top cops deflect blame over Capitol attack Law enforcement officials lay out evidence Capitol riot was 'coordinated' attack MORE (Mich.), the top Democrat, or with a majority vote.  

Republicans are ramping up their controversial investigations tied to the Obama administration as Trump prepares to face off against former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenNoem touts South Dakota coronavirus response, knocks lockdowns in CPAC speech On The Trail: Cuomo and Newsom — a story of two embattled governors Biden celebrates vaccine approval but warns 'current improvement could reverse' MORE, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, in November. The tactics have frustrated Democrats who view the probes as Republicans using their majority to investigate Trump's political enemies, hunt for fodder against Biden or inadvertently spread Russian misinformation. 

Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerThe bizarre back story of the filibuster Hillicon Valley: Biden signs order on chips | Hearing on media misinformation | Facebook's deal with Australia | CIA nominee on SolarWinds House Rules release new text of COVID-19 relief bill MORE (D-N.Y.), in a statement on Thursday, said Republicans "are still more focused on peddling conspiracy theories to prop up President Trump than they are helping the American people reeling from the health and economic crises." 

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamOvernight Defense: Biden sends message with Syria airstrike | US intel points to Saudi crown prince in Khashoggi killing | Pentagon launches civilian-led sexual assault commission Graham: Trump will 'be helpful' to all Senate GOP incumbents John Boehner tells Cruz to 'go f--- yourself' in unscripted audiobook asides: report MORE (R-S.C.) is also scheduled to force a vote on a wide-ranging subpoena next Thursday as part of his separate investigation into the FBI's Russia probe. Included among the dozens of individuals he wants to subpoena are Comey, Rice, Clapper and Brennan.