Investigation Into DHS Whistleblower Treatment

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has Launched an Investigation into the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Handling of Ehistleblower Complaints, following a String of Complaints about DHS’s Office of Inspector General. The GAO is Reviewing the Handling of Whistleblower Complaints from Trump’s (R) First Term through the First Year of His Second One.

The GAO Confirmed the Probe, which comes after the DHS said it had asked Inspector General Joseph Cuffari (R), an Appointee from Trump’s First Term, to Turn-Over a List of All His Active Investigations. The GAO, Congress’s Nonpartisan Watchdog, reached out Monday, aAking for Interviews with Whistleblowers.

“The purpose of these interviews is to hear your firsthand perspectives about the whistleblower retaliation complaint and investigation process and how, if at all, whistleblower protections were communicated to you. We are also interested in hearing about your experiences reporting the underlying allegation of wrongdoing,” the GAO wrote in the email.

While it said it will Not “reassess cases,” the GAO wants to Hear more about Whistleblowers’ “experiences with these processes to give us contextual background and help inform our review.” The Rreview was Spurred by a Request from Two Democratic Lawmakers.

“Whistleblower retaliation is never acceptable, but in the past year Donald Trump has taken how he is retaliating against whistleblowers to a new level in order to try to stifle dissent and ensure there is no public record of how he’s violating Federal law and the Constitution,” said Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS, 2nd District), the Top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, who Requested the Investigation Alongside Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI)) in 10/2025.

“Whistleblowers have a right to tell the American people what their government is doing. I am glad GAO accepted this request to begin this investigation.” The GAO Confirmed the Probe, saying it “has work underway reviewing the process and handling of whistleblower complaints at DHS.”

The DHS’s Office of Inspector General has been Embroiled inCcontroversy for years. In 2023, Cuffari’s Office Agreed to a $1.17 Mmillion Settlement with an Employee, after He also sought to Spend more than $1 million to Investigate Her. An Independent Panel later called for Cuffari to be Removed from His Post. In 2023 He also raised Eyebrows, when He said He Deletes His Text Messages, a Violation of Public Records Laws, which Require their Retention.

Most Recently, Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Il) said Cuffari told Her that the Office of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem (R) had Demanded a List of All Active Investigations He had Underway. It was a Mmove She argued Amounted to “tacit threats” and Showed the Department was trying to “Sabotage” Cuffari’s Office.

DHS’s General Cunsel Confirmed He had Asked for the List, Noting the Secretary Does have the Power to End Investigations for National Security Purposes.










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