Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz called on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in a letter Monday after an independent commission and several members of Congress called for his removal from office for “political expediency.” He defended Inspector General Joseph Cafari.
Mr. Kufari’s investigation has criticized the federal government’s response to Hurricane Helen, the border crisis and security failures that led to the first assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, and the council’s report on Wednesday. He is facing calls for his resignation. Inspector General for Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) suspect He claimed that he had “abused his authority” during a “retaliation investigation” against a former employee. Gaetz called the timing of the investigation “misplaced” and “egregious” and said his firing “would look like a cover-up.” According to in a letter obtained exclusively by the Daily Caller News Foundation. (Related: ‘Zero Faith’: House Republicans Concerned Political Bias Will Hinder Trump Shooting Investigation)
“You have independent oversight of the heart of the D.C. Wetlands, and the knife is pointed at you,” Gaetz said in the letter. “I am very concerned that Vice President Harris and others who want to cover up open borders and former President Trump’s assassination attempt will call for your removal and secretly turn to President Biden to remove you. I am.”
WASHINGTON, DC – June 6: Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General Joseph Cafari attends a hearing of the House Oversight Subcommittee on National Security, Borders, and Foreign Affairs on June 6, 2023 in Washington, DC. I will take the oath of office at the meeting. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
After the report was released, Democratic Reps. Jamie Raskin, ranking member of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, and Rep. Bennie Thompson, ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, called on Biden to fire Kufari. asked to do so. He was appointed by Trump and confirmed in 2019. (Related: Biden-Harris administration opens doors to 1.7 million immigrants flagged as ‘potential’ security threats, House report finds)
“Following the independent, bipartisan CIGIE Integrity Commission’s report documenting IG Cuffari’s misconduct, we call on President Biden to remove him as DHS Inspector General.” Mr. Thompson said. said stated in a joint press release. “CIGIE’s report confirms our own multi-year investigation: DHS Inspector General Kufali misled Congress during his confirmation as inspector general and misled Congress again after becoming inspector general.” “and continued to blatantly abuse their authority,” wasting millions of taxpayer dollars. ”
Mr. Gaetz countered in a letter, noting that both he and FBI Director Christopher Wray opposed Mr. Kufari’s firing.
“This will look like a cover-up by President Biden and Vice President Harris,” Gaetz said in the letter. “Given the two assassination attempts on former President Trump, your continued oversight of the southern border crisis, and now the numerous whistleblowers coming forward about FEMA’s mismanagement of Hurricane Helen, It may be politically expedient for those in power to remove you, but the American people will see it as a dirty trick.” (Related: Biden DHS Allegedly Tried to Cover Up Important Report on January 6th)
“It is truly awful and pretty damning that this report is being released so close to the November election,” Gaetz said in the letter. “After all, your office oversees parts of the Department of Homeland Security that may be asleep at the wheel as our nation’s election technology is compromised by foreign adversaries. ”
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