Amid ongoing scrutiny over security lapses, Rep. Barry Loudermilk has accused the DHS of withholding a crucial report on the Secret Service's role during the January 6 riot.
Just The News reported that the controversy centers on the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) delayed release of a pivotal report evaluating the Secret Service's preparedness and response to the events of January 6, 2021.
Loudermilk, who chairs the House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight, has voiced significant criticism of DHS's handling of this sensitive matter.
According to Loudermilk, the complete report titled "United States Secret Service Preparation for and Response to the Events of January 6, 2021" has not yet been delivered to his committee.
He asserts that this delay forms part of a continuing trend at DHS to stifle the publication of reports that could expose departmental failings.
Loudermilk has not only spotlighted the delayed release but also accused DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas directly.
In a stern letter, he pointed the finger at Mayorkas for personally obstructing the release as part of a broader pattern of obstructionism in DHS.
"You alone are preventing the DHS Office of Inspector General from releasing this report to Congress," Loudermilk emphasized in his correspondence.
This accusation comes in the wake of multiple reports about January 6 still pending release. Included in the delayed publications is another significant report titled "Department of Homeland Security Law Enforcement Preparation for and Response to the January 6, 2021 Events at the U.S. Capitol", which also remains unpublished.
Meanwhile, one related report that has been made available was delivered with heavy redactions, undermining its usefulness to oversight efforts.
Moreover, Loudermilk has drawn attention to a broader issue of governance, alleging that DHS commonly invokes laws such as the Presidential Records Act and the Privacy Act to limit access to crucial documents.
This, he argues, hampers the ability of his subcommittee to conduct thorough oversight as mandated by law.
The urgency of releasing these reports, according to Loudermilk, is underscored by yet another incident of security failure on July 13, 2024.
This failure involved the U.S. Secret Service and a significant threat to a protectee, which Loudermilk argues further invalidates any rationale for delaying the disclosure of the January 6 report.
"Given the events of July 13, 2024, there is no justification for your delay," stated Loudermilk, spotlighting the recent lapse as symptomatic of ongoing security challenges.
Loudermilk's claims have stirred debates about the transparency and accountability of federal agencies, particularly in instances where national security and public oversight intersect. His pointed critiques reflect deep-seated concerns among lawmakers about the necessity of ensuring that federal departments operate without undue secrecy, especially when their operations have profound implications for national security and the rule of law.