By Sen. Martin Heinrich
WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., sent a letter to the Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum Aug. 19 demanding answers on whether DOI complies with federal records retention requirements, calling for accountability and transparency regarding the agency’s records preservation processes.
The letter follows reporting that DOI officials have destroyed official documents and used encrypted mobile applications with disappearing message configurations to avoid preserving records. These actions would violate the Federal Records Act, which requires the head of each federal agency to properly preserve all records documenting the organization, policies, and functions of the agency.
“We write to request information regarding the Department of the Interior’s compliance with federal records retention requirements. We are deeply concerned by recent reports that officials at the Department have reportedly engaged in actions in violation of the Federal Records Act,”the Senators began.
“It is imperative that all employees at the Department—regardless of title or position—understand and comply with federal records retention requirements. Government must be transparent and accountable to the American people,” the Senators continued.
The Senators concluded the letter by demanding Burgum provide clarity on DOI’s record retention policies and procedures, how these procedures relate to encrypted mobile devices and mobile applications on government devices, and whether he has ever directed, ordered, or been aware of any DOI official destroying or concealing federal records.
