The Office of Inspector General (OIG) at the Justice Department is facing scrutiny for potential political biases among some of its personnel involved in investigations. Despite the OIG’s mission to conduct objective oversight of the department and its programs, recent reports suggest that certain employees may have partisan leanings. One example is OIG attorney Deborah Falk Zerwitz, who has made numerous donations to Democrats and liked disparaging posts about Trump appointees on social media. Another lawyer, Jennifer Ramella, donated to the Democratic PAC ActBlue, raising concerns about impartiality in their investigation into the department’s handling of deaths in state-run nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
America First Legal (AFL) has sent a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the DOJ to look into the presence of politically motivated individuals within the OIG who are supposed to remain impartial. AFL argues that ensuring impartiality and avoiding actual or perceived political influence is crucial in maintaining public trust in the Department of Justice. The FOIA request highlights the importance of upholding the obligation to avoid political or partisan considerations and expresses concerns about potential partisan actors within the OIG.
The scrutiny extends to OIG personnel such as Christina Monta, a former OIG counsel who led an investigation involving a U.S. Attorney’s Office in Pennsylvania. Monta has made contributions to ActBlue and Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s Senate campaign, raising questions about her impartiality. AFL’s FOIA request emphasizes the importance of addressing these concerns, especially as the country approaches a presidential election. The request seeks to uncover whether partisan views persist within the Department of Justice and potentially impact public confidence in the government and democratic processes.
The OIG maintains that its work is fact-based and objective, citing past reports on issues such as FISA abuses and Operation Fast and Furious as examples of their commitment to impartial oversight. The spokesperson for the OIG emphasized that employees are entitled to their constitutional rights, including freedom of speech and association. Despite this, the OIG is expected to adhere to the standards of objectivity and impartiality in their investigations, as demonstrated by their previous reports on high-profile issues within the Justice Department.
The FOIA request from AFL underscores the importance of preventing government officials from leveraging their power to target political opponents, as it undermines democracy and erodes trust in government institutions. The Civil Service Reform Act prohibits discrimination against employees based on their political affiliations, emphasizing the need for neutrality and fairness in government investigations. AFL’s executive director, Gene Hamilton, highlighted the importance of maintaining the OIG as an impartial “watchdog” to uphold accountability and integrity within the Department of Justice.
Overall, the controversy surrounding potential political biases within the OIG raises concerns about the integrity of investigations and the impartiality of personnel overseeing critical inquiries. The FOIA request from AFL seeks to shed light on whether political motivations are influencing the work of the OIG and potentially undermining public trust in government institutions. Upholding standards of neutrality and objectivity is essential in ensuring the integrity of investigations and preserving confidence in the justice system.
