NW Kentucky News

House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) and Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs Chairman Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) are urging U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to release documents related to an investigation into misconduct at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

“It has been made clear that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is taking responsibility for reviewing and approving the production of USCG documents requested by the Committee in this investigation. Over the course of this investigation, the Committee has received 12,521 pages of documents in response to its inquiries. However, hundreds of pages of responsive documents specifically requested by the Committee—including responsive email communications—have only been made available in camera to Committee investigators and have not been produced,” wrote Comer and Grothman.

The investigation, initiated in December 2023 by the Oversight Committee, focuses on allegations of racism, hazing, discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, rape, and withholding internal investigations from Congress and the public at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Whistleblowers have reported additional cultural deficiencies and alleged misconduct by current and former leaders within USCG.

“The only purported rationale offered for withholding these documents is that they are ‘sensitive’ and can therefore only be provided in camera. However, sensitivity concerns or fear that a particular document could be embarrassing to the Department are not valid legal justifications for withholding responsive documents from Congress. In a staff-level briefing with DHS officials on July 19, 2024, the Department alluded to certain privileges as justification for withholding documents. It failed, however, to assert or specify those privileges. Despite multiple Committee requests for DHS’s written legal justification for withholding why these documents, the Department has not provided any such justification, explanation, and/or privilege log to the Committee,” continued Comer and Grothman.

The DHS has until October 1, 2024, to produce all draft versions of relevant reports including Operation Fouled Anchor report and Accountability Transparency Review along with emails reviewed in camera by Committee investigators.

Read More:

Comer & Grothman Probe U.S. Coast Guard’s Mishandling of Serious Misconduct

Oversight Leaders Press Coast Guard Over Failure to Cooperate with Committee’s Investigation of Misconduct & Possible Coverup

Comer & Grothman Seek Testimony from Former U.S. Coast Guard Officials Related to Misconduct Investigation