DHS inspector general tells Congress Noem systematically blocked 11 investigations

DHS Inspector General Joseph Cuffari formally notified Congress that Secretary Noem had systematically obstructed 11 of his office's investigations by denying access to department records. One blocked probe was a pending criminal investigation, and another covered Secret Service failures during the July 13, 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. Noem defended the blocks at Senate Judiciary testimony, claiming the IG needed to file proper scoping memos rather than receive unfettered access. Cuffari's letter reached Congress on March 3-4 and was made public amid the hearing.