Jeffries demands "criminal investigation" into release of Rep. Mikie Sherrill's records

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Thursday he wants a "criminal investigation" over reports that the National Archives may have violated federal law in its release of Rep. Mikie Sherrill's (D-N.J.) records.Why it matters: The incident has supercharged what was already a closely watched gubernatorial race between Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli.CBS News reported that the National Personnel Records Center, a division of the National Archives that deals with military service members' records, released Sherrill's full military file almost completely unredacted.The documents were reportedly given to Nicholas De Gregorio, an ally of Ciattarelli, who told the outlet it is "completely and totally false" that the Trump administration released the records to damage Sherrill politically.What they're saying: "I support a criminal investigation into the unauthorized and illegal release of Mikie Sherrill's records," Jeffries said at a press conference on Thursday."Mikie Sherrill is a patriot and a hero who has served this country, graduated from the Naval Academy, helicopter pilot, tours of duty in dangerous places overseas in the Middle East," he said."It's outrageous that Donald Trump and his administration and political hacks connected to them continue to violate the law, and they will be held accountable."Zoom in: The records revealed that Sherrill did not walk in the Naval Academy's 1994 graduation ceremony because she declined to inform on classmates who cheated on an exam, according to multiple outlets.CBS reported that the release of the documents, which include Sherrill's Social Security number, home addresses, life insurance information and other sensitive details, may have violated the Privacy Act of 1974.The NPRC told CBS that a technician didn't follow standard protocols in releasing the records and should have only released certain portions in response to a Freedom of Information Act request from De Gregorio.What they're saying: "We are calling on Jack Ciattarelli and the Trump administration to immediately stop illegally distributing Mikie Sherrill's military files," Sherrill campaign communications director Sean Higgins said in a statement.CBS News reported that the NPRC has alerted the National Archives' inspector general about the matter and apologized to Sherrill's congressional office.The National Archives and the Ciattarelli campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The FBI and White House declined to comment.