In a recent press release from Senator Charles E. Grassley (R-IA), it was revealed that a bicameral group of senior lawmakers is urging for a swift review into reported retaliation against investigators associated with the Hunter Biden probe.
This retaliation apparently took place after they raised concerns to Congress about the investigation, which appears to be in violation of their legally protected rights.
The press release detailed a letter addressed to the Office of Special Counsel, penned by Grassley, a cofounder of the Senate Whistleblower Protection Caucus, along with Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member Ron Johnson (R-WI), House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO), House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH).
In this letter, the rights and protections offered to whistleblowers under the law are emphasized.
“After all, it is the law,” the lawmakers wrote. “The importance of protecting whistleblowers from unlawful retaliation and informing whistleblowers about their rights under the law cannot be understated.”
It’s alleged that two IRS whistleblowers and their investigative team were dismissed from the Hunter Biden investigation as an act of reprisal for their legal communications with Congress.
Senior managers apparently failed to adequately inform employees of their rights to report misconduct to Congress and other executive branch authorities, according to the lawmakers’ letter.
Federal anti-gag provisions were highlighted in the letter as prohibitions against using taxpayer dollars to prevent government employees from reporting wrongdoing to specific federal agencies or communicating with Congress.
They further detailed, “Any effort to enforce a nondisclosure policy that fails to include a disclaimer of whistleblower rights is against the law.”
The lawmakers’ letter also referenced an email by Acting Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) Kareem Carter, which instructed supervisors, including the whistleblower, that no information about the investigation could leave the field office without approval from a supervisor.
This email reportedly did not include the anti-gag provision mandated by law, and the lawmakers criticized this omission.
The lawmakers also expressed concern about an email from Deputy IRS Commissioner for Services and Enforcement, Doug O’Donnell, which they argue fails to fully inform IRS employees of their rights to make protected disclosures to Congress.
This is seen as another attempt by the IRS to stifle whistleblowers from reporting misconduct to Congress.
Given the severity of these allegations, the lawmakers demanded immediate investigations into the supposed retaliation against these whistleblowers and violations related to the exclusion of the anti-gag provision.
They also asked for appropriate disciplinary actions against those found guilty of engaging in illegal conduct against the whistleblowers.
In their letter, the lawmakers concluded, “The DOJ and IRS must be held accountable for all instances of whistleblower retaliation and misconduct, and federal agencies cannot conceal their wrongdoing behind illegal nondisclosure directives and related documents.”
The press release indicates that this matter has been taken seriously by the lawmakers, and they are determined to safeguard the rights of whistleblowers.
