Republican senators aim to strengthen protections for Secret Service whistleblowers

GOP lawmakers are calling for transparency on whistleblower protections in the ongoing investigation into the two assassination attempts on former President Trump.

In a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) Alejandro Mayorkas, Senators Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Ron Johnson, R-Wis. ).

The whistleblowers claimed they were required to sign non-disclosure agreements to gain access to briefings on “sensitive reporting” relevant to their work protecting former President Trump.

Photos shared in the letter to Mayorkas showed screenshots sent to the secret service agents asking them to sign a confidentiality agreement.

Trump assassination attempt: Whistleblowers claim they were ‘woefully unprepared’ to provide security

The senators are now asking that DHS disclose the scope of the NDAs and whether employees are required to sign the legally mandated anti-gag language.

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In their letter, the senators referred to the Act to strengthen the protection of whistleblowers (WPEA).

The WPEA states that “no federal agency confidentiality policy, form, agreement, or related documents may be implemented or enforced if it does not contain specific language informing the employee of his or her right to report waste, fraud, abuse, or to disclose misconduct to Congress. Inspector General, or the Office of Special Counsel (OSC).”

Trump Pennsylvania rally shooting — Former President Trump is assisted by U.S. Secret Service personnel after gunfire rings out during a campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show in Butler, Pennsylvania, July 13, 2024.

Senators Grassley and Johnson also requested that DHS provide the threat assessment used to justify sending the NDAs.

Bodycam footage takes viewers to the rooftop of Pennsylvania, moments after Trump’s assassination attempt

They also asked the agency to share how the requirement changed and affected the protective records of Trump and other government officials.

Grassley during a hearing — Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, participates in a hearing on the attempted assassination of former President Trump convened by the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees in Washington, DC, July 30, 2024.

The senators emphasized the need for DHS to provide transparency about whistleblowers’ rights.

“The importance of whistleblowers knowing their rights under the law cannot be overstated, and federal agencies should encourage their employees to disclose allegations of waste, fraud and abuse through all appropriate channels,” they said. “Federal agencies cannot hide their wrongdoing behind illegal secrecy policies and related actions.”

Fox News Digital has contacted DHS for comment.

Original article source: Trump assassination attempt: Republican senators push to strengthen protections for Secret Service whistleblowers