Jim Jordan, House GOP demand Twitter preserve all communications related to Musk’s offer to purchase company

"Free speech is under attack by Big Tech," the letter begins. "In particular, Twitter has become increasingly engaged in 'heavy-handed censorship ... to silence prominent voices ... and stifle views that disagree with the prevailing progressive consensus.' Big Tech's eroding commitment to free speech prevents informed public discourse and undermines First Amendment principles."

In the letter addressed to Twitter board member Bret Taylor, House GOP said that the "harms" follow from how Twitter and other social media companies "increasingly function as the 'de facto public town square' for the American people."

The letter states that decisions regarding Twitter's future governance will "undoubtedly be consequential for public discourse in the United States and could give rise to renewed efforts to legislate in futherance of preserving free expression online."

The memo calls the Twitter board's reaction to Musk's takeover bid as well as outside opposition to his sought-after role in Twitter's future "concerning."

Twitter's board members have "fiduciary duties to the company's shareholders," the letter declares, insisting that the duties apply despite numerous corporate leaders pursuing "progressive policy goals divorced from shareholder interest."

The letter says as Congress continues to examine Big Tech and how to best protect American free speech rights, the notice serves as a formal request for Taylor, as a board member, to preserve "all records and materials" related to the Tesla CEO's offer, "including Twitter's consideration and response" as well as the tech giant's "evaluation of its shareholder interest with respect to Musk's offer."

"You should construe this preservation notice as an instruction to take all reasonable steps to prevent the destruction or altercation, whether intentionally or negligently, of all documents, communications, and other information, including electronic information and metadata, that this or may be potentially responsive to this congressional inquiry," the letter stipulates. The instruction includes electronic messages sent using official and personal accounts or devices and records created using text messages, messaging apps, or encryption software

In addition to ranking member Jordan, those who signed the letter include Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT), and Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH). House Judiciary Committee chair Rep. Jerry Nadler was copied on the correspondence.

Liberal social media users were triggered by Musk's offer to buy Twitter, while Twitter employees were outraged by Musk buying ownership stake in the platform.

Last week, Twitter's board approved a so-called "poison pill" plan in a desperate last-minute attempt to limit Musk's stake in company. Sources have indicated that Musk was in talks with investors who could partner with the business magnate on the expensive Twitter bid to circumvent the corporate maneuver and force a sale.