‘Reckless failure’: Biden admin does nothing when leftists vandalize federal property, says watchdog
- October 3, 2024
Jamie Joseph, Fox News
The Biden administration is “failing” to protect federal property from wanton destruction at the hands of left-wing protesters, says a conservative government watchdog.
In a letter sent to the inspector general for the Department of the Interior (DOI) on Thursday morning, Michael Chamberlain of the nonprofit group Protect the Public’s Trust outlined several instances of protests that ended in some sort of disturbance to land or cultural symbols.
In October 2021, protest groups occupied the DOI headquarters. In June 2024, anti-Israel protesters vandalized federal properties in Washington, D.C., and clashed with police. In July 2024, similar protesters vandalized Columbus Plaza, burned federal property, and assaulted police and bystanders.
“Is the continued failure of Secretary Haaland’s Department to enforce the law or even the provisions of the permits it provides mere negligence? Or could it be an outgrowth of sympathy among DOI political leadership with the agendas of violent protestors?” Chamberlain asked Fox News Digital.
“When you look at the behavior of some Department leaders — including multiple determinations by the Inspector General of ethics violations — neither possibility can be dismissed out of hand,” he said.