GOP lawmakers are raising concerns about the protection of whistleblowers following the two assassination attempts against former President Trump. Senators Chuck Grassley and Ron Johnson expressed worry after whistleblowers disclosed that Secret Service employees had to sign nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) to access sensitive information related to their work. The whistleblowers shared screenshots of the NDAs sent to Secret Service agents.
In response, Grassley and Johnson have written to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, asking for clarification on the scope of the NDAs and whether employees were forced to sign anti-gag language required by law. They cited the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act (WPEA), which safeguards employees’ rights to report misconduct to appropriate authorities.
The senators are also seeking the threat assessment that justified the NDAs and how the requirement affected the protective details of Trump and other officials. They emphasized the importance of transparency in protecting whistleblowers and ensuring that federal agencies do not use illegal non-disclosure policies to conceal wrongdoing.
Fox News Digital has reached out to DHS for a response to these concerns. The senators are urging federal agencies to uphold whistleblowers’ rights and encourage them to report any waste, fraud, or abuse through proper channels. Transparency and accountability are crucial in maintaining the integrity of government operations and protecting those who speak out against misconduct.
It is essential for whistleblowers to know their rights under the law and feel empowered to come forward with any concerns they may have. The role of whistleblowers in holding government agencies accountable cannot be understated, and it is the responsibility of federal agencies to ensure that their employees are aware of their rights and protected from retaliation.