Internal DHS watchdog: Noem is obstructing our work

Source: Politico

03/03/2026 07:58 PM EST


The Department of Homeland Security has hindered internal investigations amid scrutiny for its handling of President Donald Trump’s aggressive crackdown on immigration, the agency’s official watchdog warned in a letter to Congress.

DHS has been “systematically obstructing” investigations by withholding records, Inspector General Joseph Cuffari said in a letter released Tuesday — hours after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced withering bipartisan questioning at a Senate hearing.

Cuffari’s letter, dated Monday, outlined at least 10 investigations in which his office has been denied access to records and information it requested.

Cuffari said the lack of cooperation by DHS violates the law and “longstanding principles of comity” between internal watchdogs and the agencies they oversee.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/03/dhs-noem-obstruction-00810919