An internal investigation by the Justice Department revealed a breach of confidentiality policies involving high-ranking officials.
According to the New York Post, three senior Department of Justice officials violated internal protocols by disclosing non-public investigative information to media outlets days before an unspecified election.
The Office of Inspector General (OIG), led by Michael Horowitz since 2012, initiated the investigation following complaints about politically motivated disclosures. The investigation determined that these officials shared sensitive information with select reporters and used official DOJ social media accounts to amplify the resulting news coverage.
The three former officials, who had already left their positions when the investigation commenced, either declined or ignored requests for interviews. The OIG lacks the authority to compel testimony from former employees, which limits the scope of their investigation. The case has been referred to multiple oversight bodies, including the Office of the Deputy Attorney General and the Professional Misconduct Review Unit.
The timing and nature of these leaks have raised significant concerns about potential violations of the Hatch Act, prompting the OIG to forward their findings to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel. The investigation revealed violations of both the DOJ's Confidentiality and Media Contacts Policy and Social Media Policy.
Sen. Chuck Grassley has been actively involved in addressing similar concerns, particularly regarding investigations into President-elect Donald Trump. The Iowa Republican has submitted multiple letters to top justice officials seeking accountability and preservation of records.
The incident adds to a pattern of high-profile leaks within the Justice Department. A notable example involves allegations about Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi and a purported $10 million campaign contribution to Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. This investigation, initially under Robert Mueller's purview, was closed in June 2020 but resurfaced in media reports in August 2024.
The OIG's findings echoed previous concerns raised by the Inspector General's office regarding the handling of sensitive information. These developments have prompted renewed scrutiny of the department's information security measures and media contact policies.
Trump, who has secured the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has consistently criticized Special Counsel Jack Smith for alleged unauthorized disclosures. He specifically pointed to the release of an audio recording related to a classified Iran document discussion at his Bedminster golf club.
The OIG summary stated:
The OIG investigation found that three then Senior DOJ Officials violated DOJ's Confidentiality and Media Contacts Policy by leaking to select reporters, days before an election, non-public DOJ investigative information regarding ongoing DOJ investigative matters, resulting in the publication of two news articles that included the non-public DOJ investigative information.
These findings have led to enhanced scrutiny of the Justice Department's handling of sensitive information. The investigation's results mirror previous instances of unauthorized disclosures, including former FBI Director James Comey's leak of internal memos, which resulted in a referral for prosecution that the DOJ ultimately declined to pursue.
Historical precedent shows similar leaks have had significant consequences, as evidenced by the corruption probe into Sen. Bob Menendez that became public before his September 2023 indictment. This pattern of unauthorized disclosures continues to challenge the department's integrity and operational security.
The Justice Department's Inspector General has identified three senior officials who violated confidentiality policies by leaking non-public investigative information to media outlets before an election. The investigation uncovered multiple policy violations, including unauthorized media contacts and improper use of social media accounts. While the officials involved are no longer with the department, the case has been referred to various oversight bodies for further action, potentially leading to significant changes in how sensitive information is handled within the Justice Department.
