Thompson, Maloney Urge DHS IG Review Homeland Security Actions Under Wolf, Cuccinelli
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General Joseph Cuffari urging his office to expeditiously review the matters referred to it by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in its August 14 legal decision determining that the appointments of Chad Wolf as the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security and Ken Cuccinelli as the Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Secretary were illegal.
In its legal decision, GAO did not review the legality of actions taken by these officials following their invalid appointments but referred that matter to the DHS Inspector General for review. GAO also referred to the DHS IG the question of who should be serving as the Acting Secretary and the Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Secretary.
“Uncertainty in the legality of these policies undermines public trust,” wrote Chairs Thompson and Maloney. “To restore the faith of the American public in DHS, it is imperative that the DHS OIG swiftly investigate the matters referred to it by GAO.”
DHS actions, among many others, that require review include:
- Deploying DHS law enforcement officers to subdue peaceful protestors in Washington, DC and Portland. Federal officers repeatedly used aggressive and violent tactics including arresting protestors without probable cause.
- Suspending New Yorkers’ ability to enroll or re-enroll into Global Entry and other Trusted Traveler programs in February 2020.
- Approving a move to limit oversight of DHS’ Office of Intelligence and Analysis by constraining the role of the Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties in approving intelligence products.
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Press Contact
(Thompson) Adam Comis, 202-225-9978
(Maloney) Aryele Bradford, 202-226-5181
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