A recent report by Inspector General Michael Horowitz has found that three senior officials at the U.S. Justice Department engaged in misconduct by leaking details of a confidential investigation during the final months of Donald Trump’s presidency. The leak, which involved plans to collect data on COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes in states with Democratic governors, was seen as a potential attempt to influence the 2020 election.
The report, obtained by Reuters through a public records request, highlighted that the officials shared information with media outlets, including texts indicating political motivations behind the leak. While the employees were not named in the report, one was identified as working in the Justice Department’s public affairs office. They are no longer with the department.
Inspector General Horowitz raised concerns about the officials’ conduct and its potential partisan motivations so close to the election. Former Attorney General Bill Barr, who was not implicated in the report, could not be reached for comment.
President Trump, known for criticizing the perceived politicization of U.S. law enforcement, has previously accused the Justice Department of targeting him unfairly. Despite dropping cases related to Trump’s post-election actions, the department cited its policy against prosecuting a sitting president.
The report’s findings prompted reactions from various sources, with some noting parallels to accusations made by Trump and his allies against the Justice Department under President Biden. The investigation into nursing home deaths during the pandemic, which focused on states with Democratic governors, was also highlighted in the report for its handling and selective approach in targeting specific states.
The actions of the officials in leaking information raised concerns about political bias and misuse of power, echoing broader criticisms of government agencies under different administrations.
It was reported that a certain individual had violated the department’s policies regarding interactions with the press. Additionally, an official had disclosed information to the Wall Street Journal, as detailed in the report. The investigation’s findings indicated that the timing and manner in which prosecutors pursued the nursing home inquiry, as well as the decision to publicize these actions, may have been influenced by the approaching 2020 election.
The Office of Special Counsel, responsible for enforcing regulations that prohibit federal employees from engaging in partisan political activities while on duty, has commenced a review of the report, according to a spokesperson. (Reporting by Brad Heath and Sarah N. Lynch in Washington; Editing by Scott Malone and Nia Williams)
