FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

September 10, 2020

Government Accountability Project Supports DHS I&A Whistleblower

WASHINGTON – On September 8th, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)’s Under Secretary of Intelligence and Analysis, Brian Murphy, filed a whistleblower complaint alleging retaliation for blowing the whistle on illegality and improper politicization of intelligence within the department. Mr. Murphy’s complaint describes how he made at least five protected whistleblowing disclosures over the past two years. Chief among them, he expressed concern that senior department officials, including the current acting Secretary of Homeland Security, instructed him to downplay intelligence assessments on threats of Russian election interference and white supremacy to avoid political embarrassment for President Donald Trump. Murphy refused this order, believing it would jeopardize national security. In July, Murphy was removed from his position and reassigned to an administrative role.

Government Accountability Project’s National Security Analyst Irvin McCullough commented,

“No federal worker — whether they be a low-level analyst or a senior executive — should fear retaliation for making a protected disclosure. The DHS Inspector General should open a whistleblower retaliation investigation, hear from witnesses, review relevant documents, and determine whether department leaders retaliated against Mr. Murphy. If they did, they broke the law.”

Government Accountability Project strongly supports Mr. Murphy’s right to seek in-depth investigations into the wrongdoing he witnessed as well as the retaliation he suffered. Federal whistleblowers are essential to providing critical oversight and accountability in our government. Therefore, Government Accountability Project hopes Mr. Murphy’s whistleblower and anti-retaliation rights are preserved.

 

Contact: Andrew Harman, Communications Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 457-0034 x156

Government Accountability Project

Government Accountability Project is the nation’s leading whistleblower protection organization. Through litigating whistleblower cases, publicizing concerns and developing legal reforms, Government Accountability Project’s mission is to protect the public interest by promoting government and corporate accountability. Founded in 1977, Government Accountability Project is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C.

 ###