### Watchdog Report Urges Biden to Fire DHS Inspector General Joseph Cuffari

A confidential report has urged President Joe Biden to consider removing Joseph Cuffari, the Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Appointed by former President Donald Trump, Cuffari has been a vocal critic of the Biden administration's immigration policies. However, a new allegation surfaces, suggesting that Cuffari abused his authority and engaged in significant misconduct.

The report, prepared by a panel of inspectors general from various federal agencies, recommends disciplinary action against Cuffari, including possible removal from his position. This recommendation was revealed to POLITICO by an anonymous source who was not authorized to discuss the report publicly. The details of Cuffari's alleged misconduct remain unconfirmed.

The document stems from an investigation conducted by a committee within the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), an organization responsible for training and supervising federal inspectors general. According to a letter accompanying the report, the Integrity Committee concluded that Cuffari "abused his authority and engaged in substantial misconduct" and recommended action up to and including his removal.

Cuffari has long been under scrutiny, with Congressional Democrats criticizing him for agreeing to a $1.17 million settlement related to whistleblower retaliation claims against a former employee in his office. They also questioned his decision to hire an external law firm to investigate his own office.

The White House confirmed that it had received the report on Wednesday. "The findings of misconduct in this report are concerning," a spokesperson stated. Cuffari's office and CIGIE declined requests for comments.

Capitol Hill Republicans, who have praised Cuffari for his investigations into DHS' challenges with vetting Afghan evacuees and monitoring unaccompanied migrant children, may react strongly if any action is taken against him. GOP lawmakers have rallied around him, arguing that the scrutiny he faces is retaliation for his criticisms of the Biden administration.

Some Republicans, including Senators Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), suggested that the investigation into Cuffari could be politically motivated. However, it's notable that CIGIE is led by Mark Greenblatt, a Trump appointee, and the Cuffari investigation is overseen by Eric Soskin, another Trump appointee.