Former Secretary of State John Kerry reportedly used a government email alias during his time in the Obama administration, according to whistleblowers who recently spoke to Senators Chuck Grassley and Ron Johnson. The senators have sent a letter to current Secretary of State Antony Blinken, seeking clarification on whether Kerry followed federal records law while using the email address “SESTravel11@state.gov.”
This revelation raises concerns about Kerry’s compliance with federal records laws and regulations, especially in light of past issues with government officials using non-official email accounts for official business. Grassley and Johnson have been monitoring the State Department’s adherence to federal records laws since 2015, following the controversy surrounding Hillary Clinton’s use of a private server for government emails.
Additionally, the senators have also expressed concerns about President Biden’s use of non-government email accounts and pseudonymous government emails for official business. They are seeking clarity on whether Biden has complied with federal records laws during his time as vice president.
The recent letter to Blinken comes after whistleblowers accused Kerry and the State Department of obstructing FBI efforts to arrest individuals in the U.S. who were allegedly supporting Iranian weapons development. This interference was reportedly linked to Kerry’s efforts to preserve the Iran Nuclear Deal during the Obama administration.
Grassley and Johnson are now pressing Blinken for information on Kerry’s government email usage, including all records associated with the “SESTravel11@state.gov” address. They are also seeking details on how the State Department stored and archived Kerry’s government email records, as well as whether the alias was used for official communications with foreign officials, particularly regarding the Iran Nuclear Deal.
The senators have set a deadline of July 1 for Blinken to respond to their inquiries. The State Department has not yet issued a comment on the matter.
It is crucial for government officials to adhere to federal records laws and ensure transparency in their official communications. The allegations against Kerry and the questions raised by Grassley and Johnson highlight the importance of accountability and proper record-keeping within the State Department. As the investigation unfolds, more details may emerge regarding Kerry’s email practices and potential implications for national security.