Interior Needs an Independent Inspector General - Vote NO on Kirk

Dennis Kirk’s nomination raises serious questions about the independence an Inspector General must have to scrutinize the administration that appoints him. As your constituent, I urge you to vote against his confirmation. INSPECTORS GENERAL MUST BE INDEPENDENT Congress created Inspectors General to uncover waste, fraud, abuse, mismanagement, and misconduct and to provide independent oversight of federal agencies. Their credibility depends on employees, whistleblowers, Congress, and the public believing that investigations will follow the evidence wherever it leads. Federal law reflects that principle. Under 5 U.S.C. § 403, presidentially appointed Inspectors General are to be selected “without regard to political affiliation” and based on integrity and demonstrated ability in fields relevant to oversight. The Government Accountability Office has likewise emphasized that independence is critical to an Inspector General’s credibility and effectiveness. Independence also has practical consequences. Employees may be less willing to report misconduct if they believe a watchdog is politically aligned with agency leadership, while Congress and the public have less reason to trust investigations whose independence is in doubt. KIRK RAISES SERIOUS INDEPENDENCE CONCERNS Former Interior Inspector General Mark Greenblatt - himself appointed by President Trump - has urged the Senate to reject Kirk. Greenblatt argues that Kirk lacks the kind of auditing, investigative, legal, or oversight experience normally associated with the job and points to Kirk’s role in Project 2025. Kirk also served as a senior adviser to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and later worked inside the Intelligence Community Inspector General’s office. Reporting at the time raised questions about whether those continuing ties were consistent with the independence expected of a watchdog office. The issue is not whether Kirk holds conservative political views. Presidents naturally appoint people who share many of their policy views. An Inspector General is different. The office exists to provide credible, independent scrutiny of the very administration making the appointment. That principle should apply regardless of which party controls the White House. Independent Inspectors General protect taxpayers, whistleblowers, honest federal employees, Congress, and the integrity of government itself. I therefore urge you to: (1) OPPOSE THE NOMINATION. Vote against confirmation of Dennis Kirk as Interior Inspector General. (2) DEFEND INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT. Insist on a nominee whose experience and record give Congress, whistleblowers, federal employees, and the public confidence that investigations will remain independent. (3) PRESERVE NONPARTISAN WATCHDOGS. Support nominees whose qualifications and record demonstrate independence from the officials they may be required to investigate. Thank you.