a Trump leftover in the Biden admin

 

 

We need to talk about a Trumpist still doing damage within the federal government.

Let’s go step by step:

1. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was created after 9/11 with the mission — ostensibly — of keeping Americans safe from terrorism, securing our borders, and protecting us from threats.

2. Far too often, that has meant demonizing Muslims and mistreating immigrants and refugees (the barbaric family separation policy, for instance).

3. DHS also houses the Secret Service (which had formerly been part of the Treasury Department) along with many other agencies.

4. Three years ago, Trump installed a man named Joseph Cuffari in the critical position of inspector general at DHS.

5. According to DHS’s own website, Cuffari is supposed to “provide independent oversight and promote excellence, integrity, and accountability” within the department.

6. Instead, Cuffari has covered up, failed to investigate, and failed to publicize scandals at DHS and the Secret Service. Just a few examples:

• Rejecting recommendations from his own staff, Cuffari refused to investigate the Secret Service’s use of force — against people who were lawfully protesting the murder of George Floyd — to clear the way for Trump’s infamous “Bible photo-op” near the White House in June of 2020.

• Cuffari tried to cover up revelations about rampant sexual misconduct and domestic violence within DHS.

• Contrary to the findings of public health experts, Cuffari found “no malfeasance” in the deaths of Guatemalan children in the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (a.k.a. “Border Patrol”), another agency within DHS.

• Cuffari apparently knew as early as May of *last year* that Secret Service text messages from the time of the January 6 insurrection had been deleted. YET HE DID NOTHING ABOUT IT.

• Just this week, we learned that Cuffari is refusing to cooperate with — and claiming authority to prevent his staff from cooperating with — the bipartisan January 6 committee in Congress.

There should be no place in the Biden administration for a Trump leftover like Joseph Cuffari.

Tell President Biden:

We urge you to remove Joseph Cuffari from his position at the Department of Homeland Security and to replace him with an inspector general who will promote transparency, justice, and democracy within DHS.

Add your name now.

Thanks for taking action.

For justice,

- Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen
 
 

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