House Democratic leaders are accusing the Department of Homeland Security inspector general of obstructing congressional oversight by repeatedly failing to turn over the Secret Service’s missing texts from before and during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol.
In a scathing letter to the inspector general, Joseph V. Cuffari, they threatened to “consider alternate measures” if the agency’s watchdog continues “to refuse to comply” with both committees’ requests.
“You have refused to produce responsive documents and blocked employees in your office from appearing for transcribed interviews,” the lawmakers wrote. “Your obstruction of the Committees’ investigations is unacceptable, and your justifications for this noncompliance appear to reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of Congress’s authority and your duties as an Inspector General.