The State Department reacted angrily, saying it was the second time Kerry had been subpoenaed while on foreign travel, and noted the announcement had been made via Twitter. "This is not the way legitimate and responsible oversight is conducted," said State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf.
House of Representatives Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa had earlier issued a subpoena for Kerry to appear on May 21, but lifted that request after the State Department said it would conflict with Kerry's travel schedule. The subpoena issued on Thursday would require him to appear on May 29.
"Absent an assertion of executive privilege, the State Department has a legal obligation to fully and completely comply," Issa said in a statement.