Alphabetical List of Letters Asking Federal Agencies to ......2020/12/12 · 4Title VII of the...

AlphabeticalListofLettersAskingFederalAgenciestoInformWorkersofTheirWhistleblowerRightsandProtections

1. CentralIntelligenceAgency2. DepartmentofAgriculture3. DepartmentofCommerce4. DepartmentofDefense5. DepartmentofEducation6. DepartmentofEnergy7. DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices8. DepartmentofHomelandSecurity9. DepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopment10. DepartmentofJustice11. DepartmentofLabor12. DepartmentofState13. DepartmentoftheInterior14. DepartmentoftheTreasury15. DepartmentofTransportation16. DepartmentofVeteransAffairs17. EnvironmentalProtectionAgency18. FederalTradeCommission19. GeneralServicesAdministration20. NationalSecurityAgency21. NuclearRegulatoryCommission22. OfficeofManagementandBudget23. OfficeofPersonnelManagement24. OfficeoftheDirectorofNationalIntelligence25. UnitedStatesAgencyforGlobalMedia

1612 K Street NW Suite 1100 Washington, DC, 20006 (202) 457-0034

whistleblower.org

TheHonorableGinaC.Haspel December21,2020DirectorCentralIntelligenceAgencyMcLean,VA22101DearDirectorHaspel,GovernmentAccountabilityProject,anonprofitorganizationthatrepresentswhistleblowersanddevelopswhistleblowerpolicy,joinedbyAmericanOversight,ProtectDemocracy,andPublicCitizen,writestorequestthatyouinformtheCentralIntelligenceAgencyworkforceofthewhistleblowerrightstheyenjoyunderfederallaw.Duringthistransitionperiod,itiscriticaltoremindemployeestoreportwrongdoingtheywitnessintheworkplace,andthattheirrightssupersedeanynon-disclosurepoliciesorrestrictions.RecentreportingabouteffortstoblockandchillcommunicationsbetweencareercivilservantsandincomingPresident-electtransitionteamsinseveralgovernmentagencies1promptsustocautionyouragencyagainstviolatingfederalwhistleblowerprotectionlawsandprovisionswhichrequirethatanydirectivesbarringemployeecommunicationsincludeexplicitlanguagenotingthattheirwhistleblowingrightssupersedethegagontheirspeech.2Indeed,PresidentTrump’srecentExecutiveOrderdirectingagenciestoreclassifyemployeeswhoareinpolicy-relatedpositionsinto“ScheduleF”workers,whichwouldeffectivelystripemployeesoftheircivilserviceprotections—includingtheirwhistleblowerprotectionrights—sendsamessagetothoseworkerswhoareinthemostlikelypositionsofdiscoveringhigh-level,seriousmisconductthatreportingwrongdoingwillleavethemmostvulnerabletofuturereprisalwithoutaremedy.Finally,theUkrainewhistleblower—reportedlyoneofyouremployees—whodisclosedabusesatthehighestlevels,wastreatedasbothaheroandvillain,despitegoingthroughlawfulproperreportingchannels.3AllofthesefactorscombinedmakeitincumbentonCIAtoreinforcethewhistleblowerprotectionsaffordedtoitsemployeestopreventthepossibleeffectofdeterringemployeesfromreportingseriouswrongdoingtheywitnessintheworkplace.Whistleblowerrightsexisttoencourageemployees,whoareinthebestpositiontoidentifyproblems,toservethepublicbyreportingviolationsoflaws,rules,andregulations,grossmismanagement,grosswasteoffunds,abusesofauthority,andsubstantialandspecificdangerstopublichealthandsafety.Duringaglobalpandemicandavolatiletransitionbetweenadministrations,civilservants,andintelligencecontractorsandgranteesarethefirstlineofdefensetoprevent,mitigateoraddressabusesthatviolatethepublictrust.

1LisaFriedman,“Trumpappointeesareparticipatinginsometransitionmeetings,chillingtheflowofsomeinformation.”NewYorkTimes.December9,2020.https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/12/09/us/joe-biden-donald-trump/trump-appointees-are-participating-in-some-transition-meetings-chilling-the-flow-of-some-information2IrvinMcCulloughandAddisonRodriguez,“TheTrumpadministrationlovesgagorders.Butthey’reoftenillegal.”WashingtonPost.October13,2020.https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/10/13/trump-gag-orders-illegal/3JohnM.Donnelly,“Ukrainecontroversymayscareoffwould-bewhistleblowers.”RollCall.September25,2019.https://www.rollcall.com/2019/09/25/ukraine-controversy-may-scare-off-would-be-whistleblowers/

CIAshouldcompensateforanypreviousunlawfulcommunicationsorotherchillingeffectsbyinformingemployeesofthewhistleblowerrightstheyenjoyunderfederallaw.CIAemployeesshouldknowthat:

• IntelligenceCommunityemployeesandcontractorshavelegalrightstoreportwrongdoingandreceiveprotectionfromretaliationbyfollowingthedisclosureprocessoutlinedintheIntelligenceCommunityWhistleblowerProtectionAct(ICWPA)of1998,whichallowsintelligenceemployeestofashion“protecteddisclosures”of“urgentconcerns”throughtheirInspectorsGeneral.4

• Ifawhistleblowersuffersretaliationformakingaprotecteddisclosure,PresidentialPolicyDirective-19andrelatedstatutesofferICemployeesprotectionsfromretaliation.5IntelligencecontractorswereaffordedtheseprotectionsthroughtheFISAReauthorizationActof2018.

• AppropriationslawprohibitsCongressfromfundingagenciesthat“implementorenforce”any“non-disclosurepolicy,form,oragreementifsuchpolicy,form,oragreementdoesnotcontain”provisionsreaffirmingthatemployeewhistleblowerrightsarecontrolling,despiteanynondisclosurerestrictions.6

• Employeeshavetherighttoseeklegalcounselforguidanceabouttheirconfidentialityobligationsandwhistleblowerrights.7

Employeeswhoexercisetheirwhistleblowerrightsperformanessentialpublicservice.Federalemployeesmaysoonbewitnessto,andchoosetodisclose,evidenceofawholehostofabuses,includingbutnotlimitedtofederalrecordsdestruction,misinformationusedbypoliticalappointeesandelectedofficialsusedtopromptretaliatoryinvestigationsagainstpoliticallydisfavoredindividuals,gravenationalsecuritythreats,orfraudrelatedtoCOVID-19reliefordefensespending.Yourworkforceshouldnotbeprohibitedorchilledfrom,orretaliatedagainstfor,lawfullyreportingevidenceofseriousabusesandwrongdoing.Rather,theyshouldbeencouragedtodoso.Emblemizingyourworkforce’squietpatriotism,CIAofficers’protectionismostimportantduringatransitionofpower,ensuringthecontinuityofgovernmentisstable,uninterrupted,andfreefrominterferenceforournation’ssafetyandsecurity.Theworkoffederalemployeesmustcontinueunfettered. Pleaseinformyourworkersoftheirwhistleblowerrightsandprotectionsandensuretheyunderstandtheirrightsarenotsupersededbyanyrestrictionplacedontheirspeech.

4TitleVIIoftheIntelligenceAuthorizationActforFiscalYear1999,P.L.105-272§§701-702,codifiedin5U.S.C.§8H,50U.S.C.§3033,and50U.S.C.§3517.5PresidentialPolicyDirective(PPD)-19,“ProtectingWhistleblowerswithAccesstoClassifiedInformation,”TheWhiteHouse.October10,2012.https://www.opm.gov/our-inspector-general/whistleblower-protection-information/ppd-19.pdf6§§713and743,ConsolidatedAppropriationsAct,2020;DivisionE,FinancialServicesandGeneralGovernmentAppropriationsAct,2016;TitleVII,GeneralProvisions,Government-Wide.7See,e.g.,Deniusv.Dunlap,209F.3d944,953(7thCir.2000)("TherighttohireandconsultanattorneyisprotectedbytheFirstAmendment'sguaranteeoffreedomofspeech,associationandpetition.")

Verytrulyyours,LouisClarkExecutiveDirectorandChiefExecutiveOfficerGovernmentAccountabilityProject

AustinEversExecutiveDirectorAmericanOversight

JohnLangfordCounselProtectDemocracy

RobertWeissmanPresidentPublicCitizen

CC: VaughnF.Bishop,DeputyDirector


whistleblower.org TheHonorableSonnyPerdue December21,2020Secretary

DepartmentofAgriculture1400IndependenceAvenue,S.W.

Washington,D.C.20250

DearSecretaryPerdue,

GovernmentAccountabilityProject,anonprofitorganizationthatrepresentswhistleblowersanddevelopswhistleblowerpolicy,joinedbyAmericanOversight,Protect

Democracy,andPublicCitizen,writestorequestthatyouinformtheDepartmentofAgricultureworkforceofthewhistleblowerrightstheyenjoyunderfederallaw.Duringthis

transitionperiod,itiscriticaltoremindemployeestoreportwrongdoingtheywitnessin

theworkplace,andthattheirrightssupersedeanynon-disclosurepoliciesorrestrictions.

RecentreportingabouteffortstoblockandchillcommunicationsbetweencareercivilservantsandincomingPresident-electtransitionteamsinseveralgovernmentagencies1

promptsustocautionyouragencyagainstviolatingfederalwhistleblowerprotectionlaws

andprovisionswhichrequirethatanydirectivesbarringemployeecommunicationsincludeexplicitlanguagenotingthattheirwhistleblowingrightssupersedethegagontheir

speech.2Indeed,PresidentTrump’srecentExecutiveOrderdirectingagenciestoreclassify

employeeswhoareinpolicy-relatedpositionsinto“ScheduleF”workers,whichwouldeffectivelystripemployeesoftheircivilserviceprotections—includingtheirwhistleblower

protectionrights—sendsamessagetothoseworkerswhoareinthemostlikelypositionsofdiscoveringhigh-level,seriousmisconductthatreportingwrongdoingwillleavethem

mostvulnerabletofuturereprisalwithoutaremedy.3

Combined,theseeffortshavethelikelyeffectofdeterringemployeesfromreporting

seriouswrongdoingtheywitnessintheworkplace.Whistleblowerrightsexisttoencourage

employees,whoareinthebestpositiontoidentifyproblems,toservethepublicbyreportingviolationsoflaws,rules,andregulations,grossmismanagement,grosswasteof

funds,abusesofauthority,andsubstantialandspecificdangerstopublichealthandsafety.Duringaglobalpandemicandavolatiletransitionbetweenadministrations,civilservants,

federalcontractorsandgranteesarethefirstlineofdefensetoprevent,mitigateoraddress

abusesthatviolatethepublictrust.

TheDepartmentofAgricultureshouldcompensateforanypreviousunlawfulcommunicationorchillingeffectbyinformingemployeesofthewhistleblowerrightsthey

enjoyunderfederallaw.Yourworkforceshouldknowthat:

1LisaFriedman,“Trumpappointeesareparticipatinginsometransitionmeetings,chillingtheflowofsomeinformation.”NewYorkTimes.December9,2020.https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/12/09/us/joe-biden-donald-trump/trump-appointees-are-participating-in-some-transition-meetings-chilling-the-flow-of-some-information2IrvinMcCulloughandAddisonRodriguez,“TheTrumpadministrationlovesgagorders.Butthey’reoftenillegal.”WashingtonPost.October13,2020.https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/10/13/trump-gag-orders-illegal3ErichWagner,“‘Stunning’ExecutiveOrderWouldPoliticizeCivilService,”GovernmentExecutive.October22,2020.https://www.govexec.com/management/2020/10/stunning-executive-order-would-politicize-civil-service/169479/

• UndertheWhistleblowerProtectionActof1989(WPA),mostfederalemployeesmaylawfullydisclose,freefromretaliation,informationanemployeereasonably

believesevidencesaviolationoflaw,rule,orregulation,grossmismanagement,agrosswasteoffunds,anabuseofauthority,asubstantialandspecificdangerto

publichealthorsafety,orcensorshipofresearch,analysisortechnicalinformationthatwouldresultinsuchformsofmisconduct.4

• Theycandiscloseinformationrelatedtoanyoftheforegoingformsofmisconducttoavarietyofaudiences—theOfficeofSpecialCounsel(OSC),theInspectorGeneral,

theCongress,thepress,oreventhePresident-elect’stransitionteam—solongasthe

disclosedinformationisnotbarredfromreleasebystatuteorExecutiveOrder.5

• Federalcontractorsandgranteesenjoysimilarrightstomakedisclosuresunder41U.S.C.§4712.6

• AppropriationsactsprohibitCongressfromfundingagenciesthat“implementorenforce”any“non-disclosurepolicy,form,oragreementifsuchpolicy,form,oragreementdoesnotcontain”provisionsreaffirmingthatemployeewhistleblower

rightsarecontrolling,despiteanynondisclosurerestrictions,theinclusionofwhich

ismandatedbytheWhistleblowerProtectionEnhancementAct.7


Employeeswhoexercisetheirwhistleblowerrightsperformanessentialpublicservice.ArecentexampleincludesDr.RickBright,theformerheadoftheBiomedicalAdvanced

ResearchandDevelopmentAuthority,whopubliclydisclosedhisreasonablebeliefabout

thefailuresofthefederalgovernmenttorespondtothepandemicasasubstantialandspecificdangertopublichealth.9Federalemployeesmaysoonbewitnessto,andchooseto

disclose,evidenceofmisconductsuchasfederalrecordsdestruction,politicizedcensorshipofscienceorintelligencedata,orfraudrelatedtoCOVID-19reliefordefensespending.

Yourworkforceshouldnotbeprohibitedorchilledfrom,orretaliatedagainstfor,legally

reportingevidenceofsuchwrongdoing.Rather,theyshouldbeencouragedtodoso.

Evidentintheoathto“supportanddefendtheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates,”federal

employeesattheDepartmentofAgricultureareentrustedtopreservetheintegrityofourcivilinstitutionsandthefoundationsofourdemocracy.Theneedtoempoweracivil

servicetoworkfortheAmericanpeopleismostimportantduringatransitionofpower,ensuringthecontinuityofgovernmentisstable,uninterrupted,andfreefrominterference

45U.S.C.§2302(b)(8)(A).55U.S.C.§2302(b)(8).IfsuchinformationisbarredfromreleasebystatuteorExecutiveOrder(i.e.classifiedinformation),lawfulmechanismsexisttofacilitateitsdisclosurewithinthefederalgovernment.5U.S.C.§1213(a)(2);5U.S.C.2302(b)(8)(B-C);10U.S.C.§1034;50U.S.C.§§3234,3341(j)641U.S.C.§4712protectsfederalnon-intelligencecontractorsandgranteeswhodiscloseinformationtheyreasonablybelieveviolatesalaw,rule,orregulation,grossmismanagementofafederalcontractorgrant,agrosswasteoffederalfunds,anabuseofauthority,orasubstantialandspecificdangertopublichealthorsafety.EmployeesofcontractorsandgranteesmaymakedisclosurestoCongress,anInspectorGeneral,theGovernmentAccountabilityOffice(GAO),theDepartmentofJustice(DOJ)orotherlawenforcementagency,afederalemployeeresponsibleforcontractoversightattherelevantagency,oramanagementofficialofthecontractorwithresponsibilitytoinvestigateoraddressmisconduct.75U.S.C.§2302;5USC§2302(b)(13);§§713and743,ConsolidatedAppropriationsAct,2020;IrvinMcCulloughandTomDevine,“CongresscouldcutpayofTrumpaideswhotrytoenforcenondisclosureagreements,”WashingtonPost.February25,2019.https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/02/25/congress-could-cut-pay-trump-aides-who-try-enforce-ndas/8See,e.g.,Deniusv.Dunlap,209F.3d944,953(7thCir.2000)("TherighttohireandconsultanattorneyisprotectedbytheFirstAmendment'sguaranteeoffreedomofspeech,associationandpetition.")9RickBright’sfullwhistleblowerdisclosuretotheOfficeofSpecialCounsel.May5,2020.https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/05/politics/rick-bright-full-complaint/index.html

forournation’ssafetyandsecurity.Theworkofthefederalemployeesmustcontinueunfettered. Pleaseinformyourworkersoftheirwhistleblowerrightsandprotectionsandensurethey

understandtheirrightsarenotsupersededbyanyrestrictionplacedontheirspeech.

Verytrulyyours,

LouisClarkExecutiveDirectorandChiefExecutiveOfficer

GovernmentAccountabilityProject

AustinEversExecutiveDirector

AmericanOversight

JohnLangford

CounselProtectDemocracy

RobertWeissman

PresidentPublicCitizen

CC: TheHonorableStephenCensky,DeputySecretary


whistleblower.org

TheHonorableWilburL.Ross,Jr. December21,2020SecretaryDepartmentofCommerce1401ConstitutionAvenue,N.W.Washington,D.C.20230DearSecretaryRoss,GovernmentAccountabilityProject,anonprofitorganizationthatrepresentswhistleblowersanddevelopswhistleblowerpolicy,joinedbyAmericanOversight,ProtectDemocracy,andPublicCitizen,writestorequestthatyouinformtheDepartmentofCommerceworkforceofthewhistleblowerrightstheyenjoyunderfederallaw.Duringthistransitionperiod,itiscriticaltoremindemployeestoreportwrongdoingtheywitnessintheworkplace,andthattheirrightssupersedeanynon-disclosurepoliciesorrestrictions.RecentreportingabouteffortstoblockandchillcommunicationsbetweencareercivilservantsandincomingPresident-electtransitionteamsinseveralgovernmentagencies1promptsustocautionyouragencyagainstviolatingfederalwhistleblowerprotectionlawsandprovisionswhichrequirethatanydirectivesbarringemployeecommunicationsincludeexplicitlanguagenotingthattheirwhistleblowingrightssupersedethegagontheirspeech.2Indeed,PresidentTrump’srecentExecutiveOrderdirectingagenciestoreclassifyemployeeswhoareinpolicy-relatedpositionsinto“ScheduleF”workers,whichwouldeffectivelystripemployeesoftheircivilserviceprotections—includingtheirwhistleblowerprotectionrights—sendsamessagetothoseworkerswhoareinthemostlikelypositionsofdiscoveringhigh-level,seriousmisconductthatreportingwrongdoingwillleavethemmostvulnerabletofuturereprisalwithoutaremedy.3Combined,theseeffortshavethelikelyeffectofdeterringemployeesfromreportingseriouswrongdoingtheywitnessintheworkplace.Whistleblowerrightsexisttoencourageemployees,whoareinthebestpositiontoidentifyproblems,toservethepublicbyreportingviolationsoflaws,rules,andregulations,grossmismanagement,grosswasteoffunds,abusesofauthority,andsubstantialandspecificdangerstopublichealthandsafety.Duringaglobalpandemicandavolatiletransitionbetweenadministrations,civilservants,federalcontractorsandgranteesarethefirstlineofdefensetoprevent,mitigateoraddressabusesthatviolatethepublictrust.TheDepartmentofCommerceshouldcompensateforanypreviousunlawfulcommunicationorchillingeffectbyinformingemployeesofthewhistleblowerrightstheyenjoyunderfederallaw.Yourworkforceshouldknowthat:


• UndertheWhistleblowerProtectionActof1989(WPA),mostfederalemployeesmaylawfullydisclose,freefromretaliation,informationanemployeereasonablybelievesevidencesaviolationoflaw,rule,orregulation,grossmismanagement,agrosswasteoffunds,anabuseofauthority,asubstantialandspecificdangertopublichealthorsafety,orcensorshipofresearch,analysisortechnicalinformationthatwouldresultinsuchformsofmisconduct.4

• Theycandiscloseinformationrelatedtoanyoftheforegoingformsofmisconducttoavarietyofaudiences—theOfficeofSpecialCounsel(OSC),theInspectorGeneral,theCongress,thepress,oreventhePresident-elect’stransitionteam—solongasthedisclosedinformationisnotbarredfromreleasebystatuteorExecutiveOrder.5


• AppropriationsactsprohibitCongressfromfundingagenciesthat“implementorenforce”any“non-disclosurepolicy,form,oragreementifsuchpolicy,form,oragreementdoesnotcontain”provisionsreaffirmingthatemployeewhistleblowerrightsarecontrolling,despiteanynondisclosurerestrictions,theinclusionofwhichismandatedbytheWhistleblowerProtectionEnhancementAct.7


Employeeswhoexercisetheirwhistleblowerrightsperformanessentialpublicservice.ArecentexampleincludesDr.RickBright,theformerheadoftheBiomedicalAdvancedResearchandDevelopmentAuthority,whopubliclydisclosedhisreasonablebeliefaboutthefailuresofthefederalgovernmenttorespondtothepandemicasasubstantialandspecificdangertopublichealth.9Federalemployeesmaysoonbewitnessto,andchoosetodisclose,evidenceofmisconductsuchasfederalrecordsdestruction,politicizedcensorshipofscienceorintelligencedata,grossmisuseoffunds,orfraudrelatedtoCOVID-19reliefordefensespending.Yourworkforceshouldnotbeprohibitedorchilledfrom,orretaliatedagainstfor,legallyreportingevidenceofsuchwrongdoing.Rather,theyshouldbeencouragedtodoso.Evidentintheoathto“supportanddefendtheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates,”federalemployeesattheDepartmentofCommerceareentrustedtopreservetheintegrityofourcivilinstitutionsandthefoundationsofourdemocracy.Theneedtoempoweracivil


servicetoworkfortheAmericanpeopleismostimportantduringatransitionofpower,ensuringthecontinuityofgovernmentisstable,uninterrupted,andfreefrominterferenceforournation’ssafetyandsecurity.Theworkofthefederalemployeesmustcontinueunfettered. Pleaseinformyourworkersoftheirwhistleblowerrightsandprotectionsandensuretheyunderstandtheirrightsarenotsupersededbyanyrestrictionplacedontheirspeech.Verytrulyyours,LouisClarkExecutiveDirectorandChiefExecutiveOfficerGovernmentAccountabilityProject




CC: TheHonorableKarenDunnKelley,DeputySecretary


whistleblower.org TheHonorableChristopherC.Miller December21,2020ActingSecretaryDepartmentofDefense1000DefensePentagonWashington,D.C.20301DearActingSecretaryMiller,GovernmentAccountabilityProject,anonprofitorganizationthatrepresentswhistleblowersanddevelopswhistleblowerpolicy,joinedbyAmericanOversight,ProtectDemocracy,andPublicCitizen,writestorequestthatyouinformtheDepartmentofDefenseworkforceofthewhistleblowerrightstheyenjoyunderfederallaw.Duringthistransitionperiod,itiscriticaltoremindemployeestoreportwrongdoingtheywitnessintheworkplace,andthattheirrightssupersedeanynon-disclosurepoliciesorrestrictions.PastpracticecombinedwithrepeatreportingabouttheDepartmentofDefense’seffortstoblockandchillcommunicationsbetweencareercivilservantsandincomingPresident-electtransitionteams1promptsustocautionyouragencyagainstviolatingfederalwhistleblowerprotectionlawsandprovisionswhichrequirethatanydirectivesbarringemployeecommunicationsincludeexplicitlanguagenotingthattheirwhistleblowingrightssupersedethegagontheirspeech.2Indeed,PresidentTrump’srecentExecutiveOrderdirectingagenciestoreclassifyemployeeswhoareinpolicy-relatedpositionsinto“ScheduleF”workers,whichwouldeffectivelystripemployeesoftheircivilserviceprotections—includingtheirwhistleblowerprotectionrights—sendsamessagetothoseworkerswhoareinthemostlikelypositionsofdiscoveringhigh-level,seriousmisconductthatreportingwrongdoingwillleavethemmostvulnerabletofuturereprisalwithoutaremedy.3Combined,theseeffortshavethelikelyeffectofdeterringemployeesfromreportingseriouswrongdoingtheywitnessintheworkplace.Whistleblowerrightsexisttoencourageemployees,whoareinthebestpositiontoidentifyproblems,toservethepublicbyreportingviolationsoflaws,rules,andregulations,grossmismanagement,grosswasteoffunds,abusesofauthority,andsubstantialandspecificdangerstopublichealthandsafety.Duringaglobalpandemicandavolatiletransitionbetweenadministrations,civilservants,militarypersonnel,federalcontractorsandgranteesarethefirstlineofdefensetoprevent,mitigateoraddressabusesthatviolatethepublictrust.

1MikeAllen,JonathanSwan,“Scoop:PentagonhaltsBidentransitionbriefings.”Axios.December19,2020.https://www.axios.com/pentagon-biden-transition-briefings-123a9658-4af1-4632-a6e6-770117784d60.html;LisaFriedman,“Trumpappointeesareparticipatinginsometransitionmeetings,chillingtheflowofsomeinformation.”NewYorkTimes.December9,2020.https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/12/09/us/joe-biden-donald-trump/trump-appointees-are-participating-in-some-transition-meetings-chilling-the-flow-of-some-information2IrvinMcCulloughandAddisonRodriguez,“TheTrumpadministrationlovesgagorders.Butthey’reoftenillegal.”WashingtonPost.October13,2020.https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/10/13/trump-gag-orders-illegal3ErichWagner,“‘Stunning’ExecutiveOrderWouldPoliticizeCivilService,”GovernmentExecutive.October22,2020.https://www.govexec.com/management/2020/10/stunning-executive-order-would-politicize-civil-service/169479/

TheDefenseDepartmentshouldcompensateforanypreviousunlawfulcommunicationorchillingeffectbyinformingemployeesofthewhistleblowerrightstheyenjoyunderfederallaw.Yourworkforceshouldknowthat:

• UndertheWhistleblowerProtectionActof1989(WPA),mostcivilianfederalemployeesmaylawfullydisclose,freefromretaliation,informationanemployeereasonablybelievesevidencesaviolationoflaw,rule,orregulation,grossmismanagement,agrosswasteoffunds,anabuseofauthority,asubstantialandspecificdangertopublichealthorsafety,orcensorshipofresearch,analysisortechnicalinformationthatwouldresultinsuchformsofmisconduct.4

• CivilianDODemployeescandiscloseinformationrelatedtoanyoftheforegoingformsofmisconducttoavarietyofaudiences—theOfficeofSpecialCounsel(OSC),theInspectorGeneral,theCongress,thepress,oreventhePresident-elect’stransitionteam—solongasthedisclosedinformationisnotbarredfromreleasebystatuteorExecutiveOrder.5


• UndertheMilitaryWhistleblowerProtectionAct,servicemembersalsohavetherighttomakedisclosuresfreefromreprisaltoamemberofCongress,anInspectorGeneral,amemberofaDefenseDepartmentaudit,investigation,orlawenforcementorganization,orapersonintheirchainofcommand.7



Employeeswhoexercisetheirwhistleblowerrightsperformanessentialpublicservice,asNationalGuardsmanMajorAdamDeMarcodidwhenheblewthewhistletoCongressonthe“unprovokedescalationandexcessiveuseofforce”whenlawenforcementclearedracialjusticeprotestersneartheWhiteHouseaheadofPresidentTrump'sphotoshootatSt.John'sChurch.10Federalemployeesmaysoonbewitnessto,andchoosetodisclose,

45U.S.C.§2302(b)(8)(A)55U.S.C.§2302(b)(8).IfsuchinformationisbarredfromreleasebystatuteorExecutiveOrder(i.e.,classifiedinformation),orifthefederalemployeesaremembersoftheUnitedStatesArmedForcesorIntelligenceCommunity,lawfulmechanismsexisttofacilitateitsdisclosurewithinthefederalgovernment.5U.S.C.§1213(a)(2);5U.S.C.2302(b)(8)(B-C);10U.S.C.§1034;50U.S.C.§§3234,3341(j)610U.S.C.§2409protectsDepartmentofDefensecontractorsandgranteeswhodiscloseinformationtheyreasonablybelieveviolatesalaw,rule,orregulation,grossmismanagementofafederalcontractorgrant,agrosswasteoffederalfunds,anabuseofauthority,orasubstantialandspecificdangertopublichealthorsafety.EmployeesofcontractorsandgranteesmaymakedisclosurestoCongress,an

InspectorGeneral,theGovernmentAccountabilityOffice(GAO),theDepartmentofJustice(DOJ)orotherlawenforcementagency,afederalemployeeresponsibleforcontractoversightattherelevantagency,oramanagementofficialofthecontractorwithresponsibilitytoinvestigateoraddressmisconduct.710U.S.C.§1034.85U.S.C.§2302;5USC§2302(b)(13);§§713and743,ConsolidatedAppropriationsAct,2020;IrvinMcCulloughandTomDevine,“CongresscouldcutpayofTrumpaideswhotrytoenforcenondisclosureagreements,”WashingtonPost.February25,2019.https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/02/25/congress-could-cut-pay-trump-aides-who-try-enforce-ndas/9See,e.g.,Deniusv.Dunlap,209F.3d944,953(7thCir.2000)("TherighttohireandconsultanattorneyisprotectedbytheFirstAmendment'sguaranteeoffreedomofspeech,associationandpetition.")10CatieEdmondson,“NationalGuardOfficerSaysPoliceUsed‘Excessive’ForceatWhiteHouseClash,”NewYorkTimes.July27,2020.https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/27/us/politics/national-guard-excessive-force-lafayette-square.html

evidenceofawholehostofabuses,includingbutnotlimitedtofederalrecordsdestruction,politicizedcensorshipofscienceorintelligencedata,fraudrelatedtoCOVID-19reliefordefensespending,grossmisuseoffunds,ormisinformationusedbypoliticalappointeesandelectedofficialsusedtojustifymilitaryactionsortopromptretaliatoryinvestigationsagainstpoliticallydisfavoredindividuals.Yourworkforceshouldnotbeprohibitedorchilledfrom,orretaliatedagainstfor,legallyreportingevidenceofsuchwrongdoing.Rather,theyshouldbeencouragedtodoso.Evidentintheoathto“supportanddefendtheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates,”federalemployeesattheDepartmentofDefenseareentrustedtopreservetheintegrityofourcivilinstitutionsandthefoundationsofourdemocracy.TheneedtoempoweracivilservicetoworkfortheAmericanpeopleismostimportantduringatransitionofpower,ensuringthecontinuityofgovernmentisstable,uninterrupted,andfreefrominterferenceforournation’ssafetyandsecurity.Theworkofthefederalemployeesmustcontinueunfettered.Pleaseinformyourworkersoftheirwhistleblowerrightsandprotectionsandensuretheyunderstandtheirrightsarenotsupersededbyanyrestrictionplacedontheirspeech.Verytrulyyours,LouisClarkExecutiveDirectorandChiefExecutiveOfficerGovernmentAccountabilityProject




CC: TheHonorableDavidL.Norquist,DeputySecretary


whistleblower.org TheHonorableBetsyDeVos December21,2020SecretaryDepartmentofEducation400MarylandAvenue,S.W.Washington,D.C.20202DearSecretaryDeVos,GovernmentAccountabilityProject,anonprofitorganizationthatrepresentswhistleblowersanddevelopswhistleblowerpolicy,joinedbyAmericanOversight,ProtectDemocracy,andPublicCitizen,writestorequestthatyouinformtheDepartmentofEducationworkforceofthewhistleblowerrightstheyenjoyunderfederallaw.Duringthistransitionperiod,itiscriticaltoremindemployeestoreportwrongdoingtheywitnessintheworkplace,andthattheirrightssupersedeanynon-disclosurepoliciesorrestrictions.RecentreportingabouteffortstoblockandchillcommunicationsbetweencareercivilservantsandincomingPresident-electtransitionteamsinseveralgovernmentagencies1promptsustocautionyouragencyagainstviolatingfederalwhistleblowerprotectionlawsandprovisionswhichrequirethatanydirectivesbarringemployeecommunicationsincludeexplicitlanguagenotingthattheirwhistleblowingrightssupersedethegagontheirspeech.2Indeed,PresidentTrump’srecentExecutiveOrderdirectingagenciestoreclassifyemployeeswhoareinpolicy-relatedpositionsinto“ScheduleF”workers,whichwouldeffectivelystripemployeesoftheircivilserviceprotections—includingtheirwhistleblowerprotectionrights—sendsamessagetothoseworkerswhoareinthemostlikelypositionsofdiscoveringhigh-level,seriousmisconductthatreportingwrongdoingwillleavethemmostvulnerabletofuturereprisalwithoutaremedy.3Combined,theseeffortshavethelikelyeffectofdeterringemployeesfromreportingseriouswrongdoingtheywitnessintheworkplace.Whistleblowerrightsexisttoencourageemployees,whoareinthebestpositiontoidentifyproblems,toservethepublicbyreportingviolationsoflaws,rules,andregulations,grossmismanagement,grosswasteoffunds,abusesofauthority,andsubstantialandspecificdangerstopublichealthandsafety.Duringaglobalpandemicandavolatiletransitionbetweenadministrations,civilservants,federalcontractorsandgranteesarethefirstlineofdefensetoprevent,mitigateoraddressabusesthatviolatethepublictrust.TheDepartmentofEducationshouldcompensateforanypreviousunlawfulcommunicationorchillingeffectbyinformingemployeesofthewhistleblowerrightstheyenjoyunderfederallaw.Yourworkforceshouldknowthat:







Employeeswhoexercisetheirwhistleblowerrightsperformanessentialpublicservice.ArecentexampleincludesDr.RickBright,theformerheadoftheBiomedicalAdvancedResearchandDevelopmentAuthority,whopubliclydisclosedhisreasonablebeliefaboutthefailuresofthefederalgovernmenttorespondtothepandemicasasubstantialandspecificdangertopublichealth.9Federalemployeesmaysoonbewitnessto,andchoosetodisclose,evidenceofmisconductincludingbutnotlimitedtofederalrecordsdestruction,politicizedcensorshipofscienceorintelligencedata,grossmisuseoffunds,orfraudrelatedtoCOVID-19reliefordefensespending.Yourworkforceshouldnotbeprohibitedorchilledfrom,orretaliatedagainstfor,legallyreportingevidenceofsuchwrongdoing.Rather,theyshouldbeencouragedtodoso.Evidentintheoathto“supportanddefendtheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates,”federalemployeesattheDepartmentofEducationareentrustedtopreservetheintegrityofourcivilinstitutionsandthefoundationsofourdemocracy.TheneedtoempoweracivilservicetoworkfortheAmericanpeopleismostimportantduringatransitionofpower,

45U.S.C.§2302(b)(8)(A).55U.S.C.§2302(b)(8).IfsuchinformationisbarredfromreleasebystatuteorExecutiveOrder(i.e.,classifiedinformation),lawfulmechanismsexisttofacilitateitsdisclosurewithinthefederalgovernment.5U.S.C.§1213(a)(2);5U.S.C.2302(b)(8)(B-C);10U.S.C.§1034;50U.S.C.§§3234,3341(j)641U.S.C.§4712protectsfederalnon-intelligencecontractorsandgranteeswhodiscloseinformationtheyreasonablybelieveviolatesalaw,rule,orregulation,grossmismanagementofafederalcontractorgrant,agrosswasteoffederalfunds,anabuseofauthority,orasubstantialandspecificdangertopublichealthorsafety.EmployeesofcontractorsandgranteesmaymakedisclosurestoCongress,anInspectorGeneral,theGovernmentAccountabilityOffice(GAO),theDepartmentofJustice(DOJ)orotherlawenforcementagency,afederalemployeeresponsibleforcontractoversightattherelevantagency,oramanagementofficialofthecontractorwithresponsibilitytoinvestigateoraddressmisconduct.75U.S.C.§2302;5USC§2302(b)(13);§§713and743;IrvinMcCulloughandTomDevine,“CongresscouldcutpayofTrumpaideswhotrytoenforcenondisclosureagreements,”WashingtonPost.February25,2019.https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/02/25/congress-could-cut-pay-trump-aides-who-try-enforce-ndas/8See,e.g.,Deniusv.Dunlap,209F.3d944,953(7thCir.2000)("TherighttohireandconsultanattorneyisprotectedbytheFirstAmendment'sguaranteeoffreedomofspeech,associationandpetition.")9RickBright’sfullwhistleblowerdisclosuretotheOfficeofSpecialCounsel.May5,2020.https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/05/politics/rick-bright-full-complaint/index.html

ensuringthecontinuityofgovernmentisstable,uninterrupted,andfreefrominterferenceforournation’ssafetyandsecurity.Theworkofthefederalemployeesmustcontinueunfettered. Pleaseinformyourworkersoftheirwhistleblowerrightsandprotectionsandensuretheyunderstandtheirrightsarenotsupersededbyanyrestrictionplacedontheirspeech.Verytrulyyours,LouisClarkExecutiveDirectorandChiefExecutiveOfficerGovernmentAccountabilityProject




CC: TheHonorableMitchellM.Zais,DeputySecretary


whistleblower.org

TheHonorableDanBrouillette December21,2020SecretaryDepartmentofEnergy1000IndependenceAve.,SWWashington,DC20585DearSecretaryBrouillette,GovernmentAccountabilityProject,anonprofitorganizationthatrepresentswhistleblowersanddevelopswhistleblowerpolicy,joinedbyAmericanOversight,ProtectDemocracy,andPublicCitizen,writestorequestthatyouinformtheDepartmentofEnergy(DOE)workforceofthewhistleblowerrightstheyenjoyunderfederallaw.Duringthistransitionperiod,itiscriticaltoremindemployeestoreportwrongdoingtheywitnessintheworkplace,andthattheirrightssupersedeanynon-disclosurepoliciesorrestrictions.RecentreportingabouteffortstoblockandchillcommunicationsbetweencareercivilservantsandincomingPresident-electtransitionteamsinseveralgovernmentagencies1promptsustocautionyouragencyagainstviolatingfederalwhistleblowerprotectionlawsandprovisionswhichrequirethatanydirectivesbarringemployeecommunicationsincludeexplicitlanguagenotingthattheirwhistleblowingrightssupersedethegagontheirspeech.2Indeed,PresidentTrump’srecentExecutiveOrderdirectingagenciestoreclassifyemployeeswhoareinpolicy-relatedpositionsinto“ScheduleF”workers,whichwouldeffectivelystripemployeesoftheircivilserviceprotections—includingtheirwhistleblowerprotectionrights—sendsamessagetothoseworkerswhoareinthemostlikelypositionsofdiscoveringhigh-level,seriousmisconductthatreportingwrongdoingwillleavethemmostvulnerabletofuturereprisalwithoutaremedy.3Combined,theseeffortshavethelikelyeffectofdeterringemployeesfromreportingseriouswrongdoingtheywitnessintheworkplace.Whistleblowerrightsexisttoencourageemployees,whoareinthebestpositiontoidentifyproblems,toservethepublicbyreportingviolationsoflaws,rules,andregulations,grossmismanagement,grosswasteoffunds,abusesofauthority,andsubstantialandspecificdangerstopublichealthandsafety.Duringaglobalpandemicandavolatiletransitionbetweenadministrations,civilservants,federalcontractorsandgranteesarethefirstlineofdefensetoprevent,mitigateoraddressabusesthatviolatethepublictrust.TheDepartmentofEnergyshouldcompensateforanypreviousunlawfulcommunicationorchillingeffectbyinformingemployeesofthewhistleblowerrightstheyenjoyunderfederallaw.Yourworkforceshouldknowthat:







Employeeswhoexercisetheirwhistleblowerrightsperformanessentialpublicservice.ArecentexampleincludesDr.RickBright,theformerheadoftheBiomedicalAdvancedResearchandDevelopmentAuthority,whopubliclydisclosedhisreasonablebeliefaboutthefailuresofthefederalgovernmenttorespondtothepandemicasasubstantialandspecificdangertopublichealth.9Federalemployeesmaysoonbewitnessto,andchoosetodisclose,evidenceofmisconductsuchasfederalrecordsdestruction,politicizedcensorshipofscienceorintelligencedata,nationalsecuritythreats,grossmisuseoffunds,orfraudrelatedtoCOVID-19reliefordefensespending.Yourworkforceshouldnotbeprohibitedorchilledfrom,orretaliatedagainstfor,legallyreportingevidenceofsuchwrongdoing.Rather,theyshouldbeencouragedtodoso.Evidentintheoathto“supportanddefendtheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates,”federalemployeesattheDepartmentofEnergyareentrustedtopreservetheintegrityofourcivilinstitutionsandthefoundationsofourdemocracy.TheneedtoempoweracivilservicetoworkfortheAmericanpeopleismostimportantduringatransitionofpower,ensuringthe


continuityofgovernmentisstable,uninterrupted,andfreefrominterferenceforournation’ssafetyandsecurity.Theworkofthefederalemployeesmustcontinueunfettered. Pleaseinformyourworkersoftheirwhistleblowerrightsandprotectionsandensuretheyunderstandtheirrightsarenotsupersededbyanyrestrictionplacedontheirspeech.Verytrulyyours,LouisClarkExecutiveDirectorandChiefExecutiveOfficerGovernmentAccountabilityProject




Cc: TheHonorableMarkMenezes,DeputySecretary


whistleblower.org TheHonorableAlexM.AzarII December21,2020SecretaryU.S.DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices200IndependenceAvenue,S.W.Washington,D.C.20201DearSecretaryAzar,GovernmentAccountabilityProject,anonprofitorganizationthatrepresentswhistleblowersanddevelopswhistleblowerpolicy,joinedbyAmericanOversight,ProtectDemocracy,andPublicCitizen,writestorequestthatyouinformtheDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices’(HHS)workforceofthewhistleblowerrightstheyenjoyunderfederallaw.Duringthistransitionperiod,itiscriticaltoremindemployeestoreportwrongdoingtheywitnessintheworkplace,andthattheirrightssupersedeanynon-disclosurepoliciesorrestrictions.RecentreportingabouteffortstoblockandchillcommunicationsbetweencareercivilservantsandincomingPresident-electtransitionteamsinseveralgovernmentagencies,1combinedwithspecificexamplesinvolvingHHS,leadustoconcludeyouragencymaybeinviolationoffederalwhistleblowerandappropriationprovisionswhichrequirethatanydirectivesbarringemployeecommunicationsincludeexplicitlanguagenotingthattheirwhistleblowingrightssupersedethegagontheirspeech.2Forexample,HHSimpededtheBiden-HarristransitionteamfromaccessingcriticalinformationconcerningtheCOVID-19pandemic,thedenialofwhichwouldconstituteabuseofauthorityandasubstantialandspecificdangertopublichealthandsafety,allcategoriesofprotectedwhistleblowingdisclosures.Moreover,aNovember18,2020pressreportparaphrasesanadministrationofficialsaying,“HHSstaffershavebeeninformedthatifanyonefromBiden’steamcontactsthem,theyarenottocommunicatewiththemandshouldinsteadalertthedeputysurgeongeneralofthecommunication.”3ThesespeechrestrictionsarecompoundedbyreportedeffortsonthepartoftheTrumpadministrationtosuppressinformationconcerningtheCOVID-19pandemic,whichwouldconstitutescientificcensorshipthreateningpublichealthandsafety,anothercategorythatwouldenjoywhistleblowerprotectionifdisclosedbyanemployee.4Thisbackdropofchilledspeech,combinedwithPresidentTrump’srecentExecutiveOrderdirectingagenciestoreclassifyemployeeswhoareinpolicy-relatedpositionsinto“ScheduleF”workers,whichwouldeffectivelystripemployeesoftheircivilserviceprotections—includingtheirwhistleblowerprotectionrights—sendsamessagetothoseworkerswho

1LisaFriedman,“Trumpappointeesareparticipatinginsometransitionmeetings,chillingtheflowofsomeinformation.”NewYorkTimes.December9,2020.https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/12/09/us/joe-biden-donald-trump/trump-appointees-are-participating-in-some-transition-meetings-chilling-the-flow-of-some-information2IrvinMcCulloughandAddisonRodriguez,“TheTrumpadministrationlovesgagorders.Butthey’reoftenillegal.”WashingtonPost.October13,2020.https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/10/13/trump-gag-orders-illegal/.3KristenHolmesandDevanCole,“HHSsecretarysaysdepartmentwon'tworkwithBiden'steamuntilfederalagencydetermineshewon,”CNN.November18,2020.https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/18/politics/health-and-human-services-staffers-transition-biden/index.html4DanDiamond,“TrumpofficialsinterferedwithCDCreportsonCOVID-19,”POLITICO.September11,2020.https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/11/exclusive-trump-officials-interfered-with-cdc-reports-on-covid-19-412809.

areinthemostlikelypositionsofdiscoveringhigh-level,seriousmisconductthatreportingwrongdoingwillleavethemmostvulnerabletofuturereprisalwithoutaremedy.5Directivesthatfailtoassureemployeesthattheirwhistleblowerrightssupersedegagordershavethedangerouseffectofchillingemployeesfromreportingseriouswrongdoingtheywitnessintheworkplace.Whistleblowerrightsexisttoencourageemployees,whoareinthebestpositiontoidentifyproblems,toservethepublicbyreportingviolationsoflaws,rules,andregulations,grossmismanagement,grosswasteoffunds,abusesofauthority,andsubstantialandspecificdangerstopublichealthandsafety.Duringaglobalpandemicandavolatiletransitionbetweenadministrations,civilservants,federalcontractorsandgranteesarethefirstlineofdefensetoprevent,mitigateoraddressabusesthatviolatethepublictrust.HHSshouldcorrectanypreviousunlawfulcommunicationbyinformingemployeesofthewhistleblowerrightstheyenjoyunderfederallaw.Yourworkforceshouldknowthat:






5ErichWagner,“‘Stunning’ExecutiveOrderWouldPoliticizeCivilService,”GovernmentExecutive.October22,2020.https://www.govexec.com/management/2020/10/stunning-executive-order-would-politicize-civil-service/169479/65U.S.C.§2302(b)(8)(A).75U.S.C.§2302(b)(8).IfsuchinformationisbarredfromreleasebystatuteorExecutiveOrder(i.e.,classifiedinformation),lawfulmechanismsexisttofacilitateitsdisclosurewithinthefederalgovernment.5U.S.C.§1213(a)(2);5U.S.C.2302(b)(8)(B-C);10U.S.C.§1034;50U.S.C.§§3234,3341(j)841U.S.C.§4712protectsfederalnon-intelligencecontractorsandgranteeswhodiscloseinformationtheyreasonablybelieveviolatesalaw,rule,orregulation,grossmismanagementofafederalcontractorgrant,agrosswasteoffederalfunds,anabuseofauthority,orasubstantialandspecificdangertopublichealthorsafety.EmployeesofcontractorsandgranteesmaymakedisclosurestoCongress,anInspectorGeneral,theGovernmentAccountabilityOffice(GAO),theDepartmentofJustice(DOJ)orotherlawenforcementagency,afederalemployeeresponsibleforcontractoversightattherelevantagency,oramanagementofficialofthecontractorwithresponsibilitytoinvestigateoraddressmisconduct.95U.S.C.§2302;5USC§2302(b)(13);§§713and743,ConsolidatedAppropriationsAct,2020;IrvinMcCulloughandTomDevine,“CongresscouldcutpayofTrumpaideswhotrytoenforcenondisclosureagreements,”WashingtonPost.February25,2019.https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/02/25/congress-could-cut-pay-trump-aides-who-try-enforce-ndas/10See,e.g.,Deniusv.Dunlap,209F.3d944,953(7thCir.2000)("TherighttohireandconsultanattorneyisprotectedbytheFirstAmendment'sguaranteeoffreedomofspeech,associationandpetition.")

Employeeswhoexercisetheirwhistleblowerrightsperformanessentialpublicservice.ArecentexampleincludesDr.RickBright,theformerheadoftheBiomedicalAdvancedResearchandDevelopmentAuthority,whopubliclydisclosedhisreasonablebeliefaboutthefailuresofthefederalgovernmenttorespondtothepandemicasasubstantialandspecificdangertopublichealth.11Likewise,federalemployeesmaysoonbewitnessto,andchoosetodisclose,evidenceofmisconductsuchasfederalrecordsdestruction,politicizedcensorshipofscienceorintelligencedata,grossmisuseoffunds,grossmismanagementorabusesrelatedtovaccineproductionordistribution,orfraudrelatedtoCOVID-19reliefspending.Yourworkforceshouldnotbeprohibitedorchilledfrom,orretaliatedagainstfor,legallyreportingevidenceofsuchwrongdoing.Rather,theyshouldbeencouragedtodoso.Evidentintheoathto“supportanddefendtheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates,”federalemployeesatHHSareentrustedtopreservetheintegrityofourcivilinstitutionsandthefoundationsofourdemocracy.TheneedtoempoweracivilservicetoworkfortheAmericanpeopleismostimportantduringatransitionofpower,ensuringthecontinuityofgovernmentisstable,uninterrupted,andfreefrominterferenceforournation’ssafetyandsecurity.Theworkofthefederalemployeesmustcontinueunfettered. Pleaseinformyourworkersoftheirwhistleblowerrightsandprotectionsandensuretheyunderstandtheirrightsarenotsupersededbyanyrestrictionplacedontheirspeech.Verytrulyyours,LouisClarkExecutiveDirectorandChiefExecutiveOfficerGovernmentAccountabilityProject




Cc: TheHonorableEricD.Hargan,DeputySecretary

11RickBright’sfullwhistleblowerdisclosuretotheOfficeofSpecialCounsel.May5,2020.https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/05/politics/rick-bright-full-complaint/index.html

1612 K Street NW Suite 1100 Washington, DC, 20006

(202) 457-0034 whistleblower.org

Mr.ChadF.Wolf December21,2020DepartmentofHomelandSecurity245MurrayLane,S.W.Washington,D.C.20528DearMr.Wolf,GovernmentAccountabilityProject,anonprofitorganizationthatrepresentswhistleblowersanddevelopswhistleblowerpolicy,joinedbyAmericanOversight,ProtectDemocracy,andPublicCitizen,writestorequestthatyouinformtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity(DHS)workforceofthewhistleblowerrightstheyenjoyunderfederallaw.Duringthistransitionperiod,itiscriticaltoremindemployeestoreportwrongdoingtheywitnessintheworkplace,andthattheirrightssupersedeanynon-disclosurepoliciesorrestrictions.BetweenarecordofDepartmentofHomelandSecuritywhistleblowerswhohavesufferedreprisalforwhistleblowingandDHSrepeatedlyviolating1federalwhistleblowerprotectionlawsandprovisions,wearewritingtocautionyouragencyagainstviolatingfederalwhistleblowerprotectionlawsandprovisionswhichrequirethatanydirectivesbarringemployeecommunicationsincludeexplicitlanguagenotingthattheirwhistleblowingrightssupersedethegagontheirspeech.2ThisworrisomepastpracticeisreinforcedbyrecentreportingabouteffortstoblockandchillcommunicationsbetweencareercivilservantsandincomingPresident-electtransitionteamsinseveralgovernmentagencies.3Finally,PresidentTrump’srecentExecutiveOrderdirectingagenciestoreclassifyemployeeswhoareinpolicy-relatedpositionsinto“ScheduleF”workers,whichwouldeffectivelystripemployeesoftheircivilserviceprotections—includingtheirwhistleblowerprotectionrights—sendsamessagetothoseworkerswhoareinthemostlikelypositionsofdiscoveringhigh-level,seriousmisconductthatreportingwrongdoingwillleavethemmostvulnerabletofuturereprisalwithoutaremedy.4Combined,theseeffortshavethelikelyeffectofdeterringemployeesfromreportingseriouswrongdoingtheywitnessintheworkplace.Whistleblowerrightsexisttoencourageemployees,whoareinthebestpositiontoidentifyproblems,toservethepublicbyreportingviolationsoflaws,rules,andregulations,grossmismanagement,grosswasteoffunds,abusesofauthority,andsubstantialandspecificdangerstopublichealthandsafety.Duringaglobalpandemicandavolatiletransitionbetweenadministrations,civilservants,federalcontractorsandgranteesarethefirstlineofdefensetoprevent,mitigateoraddressabusesthatviolatethepublictrust.

1CamiloMontoya-Galvez,“DHSemployeesurgeleadershiptorescind"illegalgagorder"onleaks.”CBSNews.October23,2020.https://www.cbsnews.com/news/homeland-security-dhs-employees-rescind-gag-order-leaks/2IrvinMcCulloughandAddisonRodriguez,“TheTrumpadministrationlovesgagorders.Butthey’reoftenillegal.”WashingtonPost.October13,2020.https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/10/13/trump-gag-orders-illegal/3LisaFriedman,“Trumpappointeesareparticipatinginsometransitionmeetings,chillingtheflowofsomeinformation.”NewYorkTimes.December9,2020.https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/12/09/us/joe-biden-donald-trump/trump-appointees-are-participating-in-some-transition-meetings-chilling-the-flow-of-some-information4ErichWagner,“‘Stunning’ExecutiveOrderWouldPoliticizeCivilService,”GovernmentExecutive.October22,2020.https://www.govexec.com/management/2020/10/stunning-executive-order-would-politicize-civil-service/169479/

DHSshouldcompensateforanypreviousunlawfulcommunicationorchillingeffectbyinformingemployeesofthewhistleblowerrightstheyenjoyunderfederallaw.Yourworkforceshouldknowthat:






Employeeswhoexercisetheirwhistleblowerrightsperformanessentialpublicservice.SomeofthemostimportantwhistleblowersoverthepastseveralyearshaveworkedforDHS,suchasDrs.ScottAllenandPamelaMcPherson,contractedmedicalandmentalhealthsubjectmatterexpertsforDHS’sOfficeofCivilRightsandCivilLibertieswhoraisedthealarmaboutharmtochildreninimmigrationdetention,10andBrianMurphy,formerheadofDHS’sintelligencecomponent,whoreportedeffortstocensorofintelligenceanalysiswarningofinterferenceinthe2020presidentialelectionbyRussiaandwhitesupremacists.11

55U.S.C.§2302(b)(8)(A).65U.S.C.§2302(b)(8).IfsuchinformationisbarredfromreleasebystatuteorExecutiveOrder(i.e.,classifiedinformation),orifthefederalemployeesaremembersoftheUnitedStatesArmedForcesorIntelligenceCommunity,lawfulmechanismsexisttofacilitateitsdisclosurewithinthefederalgovernment.5U.S.C.§1213(a)(2);5U.S.C.2302(b)(8)(B-C);10U.S.C.§1034;50U.S.C.§§3234,3341(j)741U.S.C.§4712protectsfederalnon-intelligencecontractorsandgranteeswhodiscloseinformationtheyreasonablybelieveviolatesalaw,rule,orregulation,grossmismanagementofafederalcontractorgrant,agrosswasteoffederalfunds,anabuseofauthority,orasubstantialandspecificdangertopublichealthorsafety.EmployeesofcontractorsandgranteesmaymakedisclosurestoCongress,anInspectorGeneral,theGovernmentAccountabilityOffice(GAO),theDepartmentofJustice(DOJ)orotherlawenforcementagency,afederalemployeeresponsibleforcontractoversightattherelevantagency,oramanagementofficialofthecontractorwithresponsibilitytoinvestigateoraddressmisconduct.85U.S.C.§2302;5USC§2302(b)(13);§§713and743,ConsolidatedAppropriationsAct,2020;IrvinMcCulloughandTomDevine,“CongresscouldcutpayofTrumpaideswhotrytoenforcenondisclosureagreements,”WashingtonPost.February25,2019.https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/02/25/congress-could-cut-pay-trump-aides-who-try-enforce-ndas/9See,e.g.,Deniusv.Dunlap,209F.3d944,953(7thCir.2000)("TherighttohireandconsultanattorneyisprotectedbytheFirstAmendment'sguaranteeoffreedomofspeech,associationandpetition.")10CatherineE.ShoichetandDr.EdithBracho-Sanchez,“Thesedoctorsriskedtheircareerstoexposethedangerschildrenfaceinimmigrantfamilydetention.”CNN.May23,2019.https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/23/health/ice-family-detention-whistleblowers-doctors/index.html11ZolanKanno-YoungsandNicholasFandos,“D.H.S.DownplayedThreatsFromRussiaandWhiteSupremacists,Whistle-BlowerSays.”NewYorkTimes.September9,2020.https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/09/us/politics/homeland-security-russia-trump.html

Federalemployeesmaysoonbewitnessto,andchoosetodisclose,evidenceofawholehostofabuses,includingbutnotlimitedtofederalrecordsdestruction,politicizedcensorshipofscienceorintelligencedata,fraudrelatedtoCOVID-19reliefspending,grossmisuseoffunds,ormisinformationusedbypoliticalappointeesandelectedofficialsusedtojustifymilitaryactionsortopromptretaliatoryinvestigationsagainstpoliticallydisfavoredindividuals.Yourworkforceshouldnotbeprohibitedorchilledfrom,orretaliatedagainstfor,legallyreportingevidenceofsuchwrongdoing.Rather,theyshouldbeencouragedtodoso.Evidentintheoathto“supportanddefendtheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates,”federalemployeesattheDepartmentofHomelandSecurityareentrustedtopreservetheintegrityofourcivilinstitutionsandthefoundationsofourdemocracy.TheneedtoempoweracivilservicetoworkfortheAmericanpeopleismostimportantduringatransitionofpower,ensuringthecontinuityofgovernmentisstable,uninterrupted,andfreefrominterferenceforournation’ssafetyandsecurity.Theworkofthefederalemployeesmustcontinueunfettered.Pleaseinformyourworkersoftheirwhistleblowerrightsandprotectionsandensuretheyunderstandtheirrightsarenotsupersededbyanyrestrictionplacedontheirspeech.Verytrulyyours,LouisClarkExecutiveDirectorandChiefExecutiveOfficerGovernmentAccountabilityProject




Cc: KennethT.Cuccinelli,ActingDeputySecretary


whistleblower.org

TheHonorableBenjaminS.Carson December21,2020SecretaryDepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopment4517thStreet,S.W.Washington,D.C.20410DearSecretaryCarson,GovernmentAccountabilityProject,anonprofitorganizationthatrepresentswhistleblowersanddevelopswhistleblowerpolicy,joinedbyAmericanOversight,ProtectDemocracy,andPublicCitizen,writestorequestthatyouinformtheDepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopmentworkforceofthewhistleblowerrightstheyenjoyunderfederallaw.Duringthistransitionperiod,itiscriticaltoremindemployeestoreportwrongdoingtheywitnessintheworkplace,andthattheirrightssupersedeanynon-disclosurepoliciesorrestrictions.RecentreportingabouteffortstoblockandchillcommunicationsbetweencareercivilservantsandincomingPresident-electtransitionteamsinseveralgovernmentagencies1promptsustocautionyouragencyagainstviolatingfederalwhistleblowerprotectionlawsandprovisionswhichrequirethatanydirectivesbarringemployeecommunicationsincludeexplicitlanguagenotingthattheirwhistleblowingrightssupersedethegagontheirspeech.2Indeed,PresidentTrump’srecentExecutiveOrderdirectingagenciestoreclassifyemployeeswhoareinpolicy-relatedpositionsinto“ScheduleF”workers,whichwouldeffectivelystripemployeesoftheircivilserviceprotections—includingtheirwhistleblowerprotectionrights—sendsamessagetothoseworkerswhoareinthemostlikelypositionsofdiscoveringhigh-level,seriousmisconductthatreportingwrongdoingwillleavethemmostvulnerabletofuturereprisalwithoutaremedy.3Combined,theseeffortshavethelikelyeffectofdeterringemployeesfromreportingseriouswrongdoingtheywitnessintheworkplace.Whistleblowerrightsexisttoencourageemployees,whoareinthebestpositiontoidentifyproblems,toservethepublicbyreportingviolationsoflaws,rules,andregulations,grossmismanagement,grosswasteoffunds,abusesofauthority,andsubstantialandspecificdangerstopublichealthandsafety.Duringaglobalpandemicandavolatiletransitionbetweenadministrations,civilservants,federalcontractorsandgranteesarethefirstlineofdefensetoprevent,mitigateoraddressabusesthatviolatethepublictrust.TheDepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopmentshouldcompensateforanypreviousunlawfulcommunicationorchillingeffectbyinformingemployeesofthewhistleblowerrightstheyenjoyunderfederallaw.Yourworkforceshouldknowthat:







Employeeswhoexercisetheirwhistleblowerrightsperformanessentialpublicservice.ArecentexampleincludesDr.RickBright,theformerheadoftheBiomedicalAdvancedResearchandDevelopmentAuthority,whopubliclydisclosedhisreasonablebeliefaboutthefailuresofthefederalgovernmenttorespondtothepandemicasasubstantialandspecificdangertopublichealth.9Federalemployeesmaysoonbewitnessto,andchoosetodisclose,evidenceofmisconductsuchasfederalrecordsdestruction,politicizedcensorshipofscienceorintelligencedata,grossmisuseoffunds,orfraudrelatedtoCOVID-19reliefordefensespending.Yourworkforceshouldnotbeprohibitedorchilledfrom,orretaliatedagainstfor,legallyreportingevidenceofsuchwrongdoing.Rather,theyshouldbeencouragedtodoso.Evidentintheoathto“supportanddefendtheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates,”federalemployeesattheDepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopmentareentrustedtopreservetheintegrityofourcivilinstitutionsandthefoundationsofourdemocracy.TheneedtoempoweracivilservicetoworkfortheAmericanpeopleismostimportantduring


atransitionofpower,ensuringthecontinuityofgovernmentisstable,uninterrupted,andfreefrominterferenceforournation’ssafetyandsecurity.Theworkofthefederalemployeesmustcontinueunfettered.Pleaseinformyourworkersoftheirwhistleblowerrightsandprotectionsandensuretheyunderstandtheirrightsarenotsupersededbyanyrestrictionplacedontheirspeech.Verytrulyyours,LouisClarkExecutiveDirectorandChiefExecutiveOfficerGovernmentAccountabilityProject




CC: TheHonorableBrianD.Montgomery,DeputySecretary


whistleblower.org TheHonorableWilliamP.Barr December21,2020AttorneyGeneralTheHonorableJeffreyA.RosenIncomingActingAttorneyGeneralDepartmentofJustice950PennsylvaniaAvenue,N.W.Washington,D.C.20530DearAttorneyGeneralBarrandIncomingActingAttorneyGeneralRosen,GovernmentAccountabilityProject,anonprofitorganizationthatrepresentswhistleblowersanddevelopswhistleblowerpolicy,joinedbyAmericanOversight,ProtectDemocracy,andPublicCitizen,writestorequestthatyouinformtheDepartmentofJusticeworkforceofthewhistleblowerrightstheyenjoyunderfederallaw.Duringthistransitionperiod,itiscriticaltoremindemployeestoreportwrongdoingtheywitnessintheworkplace,andthattheirrightssupersedeanynon-disclosurepoliciesorrestrictions.BetweenabatteryofDepartmentofJusticeemployeeswhohavebeencompelledtoexercisetheirwhistleblowerrightstoreportinappropriatepoliticalinterferenceinprosecutions,1combinedwithrecentreportingabouteffortstoblockandchillcommunicationsbetweencareercivilservantsandincomingPresident-electtransitionteamsinseveralgovernmentagencies,2wearewritingtocautionyouragencyagainstviolatingfederalwhistleblowerprotectionlawsandprovisionswhichrequirethatanydirectivesbarringemployeecommunicationsincludeexplicitlanguagenotingthattheirwhistleblowingrightssupersedethegagontheirspeech.3Indeed,PresidentTrump’srecentExecutiveOrderdirectingagenciestoreclassifyemployeeswhoareinpolicy-relatedpositionsinto“ScheduleF”workers,whichwouldeffectivelystripemployeesoftheircivilserviceprotections—includingtheirwhistleblowerprotectionrights—sendsamessagetothoseworkerswhoareinthemostlikelypositionsofdiscoveringhigh-level,seriousmisconductthatreportingwrongdoingwillleavethemmostvulnerabletofuturereprisalwithoutaremedy.4Combined,theseeffortshavethelikelyeffectofdeterringemployeesfromreportingseriouswrongdoingtheywitnessintheworkplace.Whistleblowerrightsexisttoencourageemployees,whoareinthebestpositiontoidentifyproblems,toservethepublicbyreportingviolationsoflaws,rules,andregulations,grossmismanagement,grosswasteof

1PhilipEwing,“DOJWhistleblowersAllegePoliticalInterferenceInBigCases,”NPR.June24,2020.https://www.npr.org/2020/06/24/882765956/watch-live-doj-whistleblowers-allege-political-interference-in-big-cases

2LisaFriedman,“Trumpappointeesareparticipatinginsometransitionmeetings,chillingtheflowofsomeinformation.”NewYorkTimes.December9,2020.https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/12/09/us/joe-biden-donald-trump/trump-appointees-are-

participating-in-some-transition-meetings-chilling-the-flow-of-some-information

3IrvinMcCulloughandAddisonRodriguez,“TheTrumpadministrationlovesgagorders.Butthey’reoftenillegal.”WashingtonPost.October13,2020.https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/10/13/trump-gag-orders-illegal

4ErichWagner,“‘Stunning’ExecutiveOrderWouldPoliticizeCivilService,”GovernmentExecutive.October22,2020.https://www.govexec.com/management/2020/10/stunning-executive-order-would-politicize-civil-service/169479/

funds,abusesofauthority,andsubstantialandspecificdangerstopublichealthandsafety.Duringaglobalpandemicandavolatiletransitionbetweenadministrations,civilservants,federalcontractorsandgranteesarethefirstlineofdefensetoprevent,mitigateoraddressabusesthatviolatethepublictrust.TheDepartmentofJusticeshouldcompensateforanypreviousunlawfulcommunicationorchillingeffectbyinformingemployeesofthewhistleblowerrightstheyenjoyunderfederallaw.Yourworkforceshouldknowthat:






Employeeswhoexercisetheirwhistleblowerrightsperformanessentialpublicservice.CareerprosecutorsJohnEliasandAaronZelinskybothstrengthenedthelegitimacyoftheDepartmentofJusticewhentheyrespectivelytestifiedbeforeCongressaboutDOJleadershipabusingitsauthoritybyorderingunwarranted,harassingantitrustinvestigationsintodisfavoredindustriesandeffortstoreducethesentencingrecommendationsofRogerStonebecauseofhisfavoredrelationshipwithPresident

55U.S.C.§2302(b)(8)(A).65U.S.C.§2302(b)(8).IfsuchinformationisbarredfromreleasebystatuteorExecutiveOrder(i.e.classifiedinformation),lawfulmechanismsexisttofacilitateitsdisclosurewithinthefederalgovernment.5U.S.C.§1213(a)(2);5U.S.C.2302(b)(8)(B-C);10U.S.C.§

1034;50U.S.C.§§3234,3341(j)

741U.S.C.§4712protectsfederalnon-intelligencecontractorsandgranteeswhodiscloseinformationtheyreasonablybelieveviolatesalaw,rule,orregulation,grossmismanagementofafederalcontractorgrant,agrosswasteoffederalfunds,anabuseofauthority,ora

substantialandspecificdangertopublichealthorsafety.EmployeesofcontractorsandgranteesmaymakedisclosurestoCongress,an

InspectorGeneral,theGovernmentAccountabilityOffice(GAO),theDepartmentofJustice(DOJ)orotherlawenforcementagency,a

federalemployeeresponsibleforcontractoversightattherelevantagency,oramanagementofficialofthecontractorwithresponsibility

toinvestigateoraddressmisconduct.

85U.S.C.§2302;5USC§2302(b)(13);§§713and743,ConsolidatedAppropriationsAct,2020;IrvinMcCulloughandTomDevine,“CongresscouldcutpayofTrumpaideswhotrytoenforcenondisclosureagreements,”WashingtonPost.February25,2019.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/02/25/congress-could-cut-pay-trump-aides-who-try-enforce-ndas/

9See,e.g.,Deniusv.Dunlap,209F.3d944,953(7thCir.2000)("TherighttohireandconsultanattorneyisprotectedbytheFirstAmendment'sguaranteeoffreedomofspeech,associationandpetition.")

Trump.10Federalemployeesmaysoonbewitnessto,andchoosetodisclose,evidenceofmisconductsuchasfederalrecordsdestruction,politicizedcensorshipofscienceorintelligencedata,politicallymotivatedretaliatoryinvestigationsandprosecutions,orfraudrelatedtoCOVID-19reliefordefensespending.Yourworkforceshouldnotbeprohibitedorchilledfrom,orretaliatedagainstfor,legallyreportingevidenceofsuchwrongdoing.Rather,theyshouldbeencouragedtodoso.Evidentintheoathto“supportanddefendtheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates,”federalemployeesattheDepartmentofJusticeareentrustedtopreservetheintegrityofourcivilinstitutionsandthefoundationsofourdemocracy.TheneedtoempoweracivilservicetoworkfortheAmericanpeopleismostimportantduringatransitionofpower,ensuringthecontinuityofgovernmentisstable,uninterrupted,andfreefrominterferenceforournation’ssafetyandsecurity.Theworkofthefederalemployeesmustcontinueunfettered.Pleaseinformyourworkersoftheirwhistleblowerrightsandprotectionsandensuretheyunderstandtheirrightsarenotsupersededbyanyrestrictionplacedontheirspeech.Verytrulyyours,LouisClarkExecutiveDirectorandChiefExecutiveOfficerGovernmentAccountabilityProject




CC: TheHonorableRichardP.Donoghue,IncomingActingDeputyAttorneyGeneral

10Seefn.1,supra.


whistleblower.org

TheHonorableEugeneScalia December21,2020Secretary

DepartmentofLabor200ConstitutionAvenue,N.W.

Washington,D.C.20210

DearSecretaryScalia,

GovernmentAccountabilityProject,anonprofitorganizationthatrepresentswhistleblowersanddevelopswhistleblowerpolicy,joinedbyAmericanOversight,Protect

Democracy,andPublicCitizen,writestorequestthatyouinformtheDepartmentofLaborworkforceofthewhistleblowerrightstheyenjoyunderfederallaw.Duringthistransition

period,itiscriticaltoremindemployeestoreportwrongdoingtheywitnessinthe

workplace,andthattheirrightssupersedeanynon-disclosurepoliciesorrestrictions.

RecentreportingabouteffortstoblockandchillcommunicationsbetweencareercivilservantsandincomingPresident-electtransitionteamsinseveralgovernmentagencies1

promptsustocautionyouragencyagainstviolatingfederalwhistleblowerprotectionlaws

andprovisionswhichrequirethatanydirectivesbarringemployeecommunicationsincludeexplicitlanguagenotingthattheirwhistleblowingrightssupersedethegagontheir

speech.2Indeed,PresidentTrump’srecentExecutiveOrderdirectingagenciestoreclassify

employeeswhoareinpolicy-relatedpositionsinto“ScheduleF”workers,whichwouldeffectivelystripemployeesoftheircivilserviceprotections—includingtheirwhistleblower

protectionrights—sendsamessagetothoseworkerswhoareinthemostlikelypositionsofdiscoveringhigh-level,seriousmisconductthatreportingwrongdoingwillleavethem

mostvulnerabletofuturereprisalwithoutaremedy.3

Combined,theseeffortshavethelikelyeffectofdeterringemployeesfromreporting

seriouswrongdoingtheywitnessintheworkplace.Whistleblowerrightsexisttoencourage

employees,whoareinthebestpositiontoidentifyproblems,toservethepublicbyreportingviolationsoflaws,rules,andregulations,grossmismanagement,grosswasteof

funds,abusesofauthority,andsubstantialandspecificdangerstopublichealthandsafety.Duringaglobalpandemicandavolatiletransitionbetweenadministrations,civilservants,

federalcontractorsandgranteesarethefirstlineofdefensetoprevent,mitigateoraddress

abusesthatviolatethepublictrust.

TheDepartmentofLaborshouldcompensateforanypreviousunlawfulcommunicationorchillingeffectbyinformingemployeesofthewhistleblowerrightstheyenjoyunderfederal

law.Yourworkforceshouldknowthat:


• UndertheWhistleblowerProtectionActof1989(WPA),mostfederalemployeesmaylawfullydisclose,freefromretaliation,informationanemployeereasonably

believesevidencesaviolationoflaw,rule,orregulation,grossmismanagement,agrosswasteoffunds,anabuseofauthority,asubstantialandspecificdangerto

publichealthorsafety,orcensorshipofresearch,analysisortechnicalinformationthatwouldresultinsuchformsofmisconduct.4

• Theycandiscloseinformationrelatedtoanyoftheforegoingformsofmisconducttoavarietyofaudiences—theOfficeofSpecialCounsel(OSC),theInspectorGeneral,

theCongress,thepress,oreventhePresident-elect’stransitionteam—solongasthe

disclosedinformationisnotbarredfromreleasebystatuteorExecutiveOrder.5


• AppropriationsactsprohibitCongressfromfundingagenciesthat“implementorenforce”any“non-disclosurepolicy,form,oragreementifsuchpolicy,form,oragreementdoesnotcontain”provisionsreaffirmingthatemployeewhistleblower

rightsarecontrolling,despiteanynondisclosurerestrictions,theinclusionofwhich

ismandatedbytheWhistleblowerProtectionEnhancementAct.7


AstheDepartmentofLabor,whichenforcesmanyotherfederalwhistleblowerprotectionlaws,wellknows,employeeswhoexercisetheirwhistleblowerrightsperformanessential

publicserviceinpromotinglegalcomplianceandexposingmisconduct.Arecentexample

includesDr.RickBright,theformerheadoftheBiomedicalAdvancedResearchandDevelopmentAuthority,whopubliclydisclosedhisreasonablebeliefaboutthefailuresof

thefederalgovernmenttorespondtothepandemicasasubstantialandspecificdangertopublichealth.9Federalemployeesmaysoonbewitnessto,andchoosetodisclose,evidence

ofmisconductsuchasfederalrecordsdestruction,politicizedcensorshipofscienceor

intelligencedata,orfraudrelatedtoCOVID-19reliefordefensespending.Yourworkforceshouldnotbeprohibitedorchilledfrom,orretaliatedagainstfor,legallyreporting

evidenceofsuchwrongdoing.Rather,theyshouldbeencouragedtodoso.

Evidentintheoathto“supportanddefendtheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates,”federal

employeesattheDepartmentofLaborareentrustedtopreservetheintegrityofourcivilinstitutionsandthefoundationsofourdemocracy.Theneedtoempoweracivilserviceto

45U.S.C.§2302(b)(8)(A).55U.S.C.§2302(b)(8).IfsuchinformationisbarredfromreleasebystatuteorExecutiveOrder(i.e.classifiedinformation),lawfulmechanismsexisttofacilitateitsdisclosurewithinthefederalgovernment.5U.S.C.§1213(a)(2);5U.S.C.2302(b)(8)(B-C);10U.S.C.§1034;50U.S.C.§§3234,3341(j)641U.S.C.§4712protectsfederalnon-intelligencecontractorsandgranteeswhodiscloseinformationtheyreasonablybelieveviolatesalaw,rule,orregulation,grossmismanagementofafederalcontractorgrant,agrosswasteoffederalfunds,anabuseofauthority,orasubstantialandspecificdangertopublichealthorsafety.EmployeesofcontractorsandgranteesmaymakedisclosurestoCongress,anInspectorGeneral,theGovernmentAccountabilityOffice(GAO),theDepartmentofJustice(DOJ)orotherlawenforcementagency,afederalemployeeresponsibleforcontractoversightattherelevantagency,oramanagementofficialofthecontractorwithresponsibilitytoinvestigateoraddressmisconduct.75U.S.C.§2302;5USC§2302(b)(13);§§713and743,ConsolidatedAppropriationsAct;IrvinMcCulloughandTomDevine,“CongresscouldcutpayofTrumpaideswhotrytoenforcenondisclosureagreements,”WashingtonPost.February25,2019.https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/02/25/congress-could-cut-pay-trump-aides-who-try-enforce-ndas/8See,e.g.,Deniusv.Dunlap,209F.3d944,953(7thCir.2000)("TherighttohireandconsultanattorneyisprotectedbytheFirstAmendment'sguaranteeoffreedomofspeech,associationandpetition.")9RickBright’sfullwhistleblowerdisclosuretotheOfficeofSpecialCounsel.May5,2020.https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/05/politics/rick-bright-full-complaint/index.html

workfortheAmericanpeopleismostimportantduringatransitionofpower,ensuringthecontinuityofgovernmentisstable,uninterrupted,andfreefrominterferenceforour

nation’ssafetyandsecurity.Theworkofthefederalemployeesmustcontinueunfettered.

Pleaseinformyourworkersoftheirwhistleblowerrightsandprotectionsandensurethey

understandtheirrightsarenotsupersededbyanyrestrictionplacedontheirspeech.

Verytrulyyours,

LouisClark

ExecutiveDirectorandChiefExecutiveOfficerGovernmentAccountabilityProject

AustinEvers

ExecutiveDirectorAmericanOversight

JohnLangfordCounsel

ProtectDemocracy

RobertWeissmanPresident

PublicCitizen

CC: TheHonorablePatrickPizzella,DeputySecretary


whistleblower.org TheHonorableMichaelR.Pompeo December21,2020 SecretaryofState DepartmentofState 2201CStreet,N.W. Washington,D.C.20520 DearSecretaryPompeo,GovernmentAccountabilityProject,anonprofitorganizationthatrepresentswhistleblowersanddevelopswhistleblowerpolicy,joinedbyAmericanOversight,ProtectDemocracy,andPublicCitizen,writestorequestthatyouinformtheDepartmentofStateworkforceofthewhistleblowerrightstheyenjoyunderfederallaw.Duringthistransitionperiod,itiscriticaltoremindemployeestoreportwrongdoingtheywitnessintheworkplace,andthattheirrightssupersedeanynon-disclosurepoliciesorrestrictions.BetweenStateDepartmentemployeeswhofeltcompelledtoexercisetheirwhistleblowerrightstoreportabuses,1andrecentreportingabouteffortstoblockandchillcommunicationsbetweencareercivilservantsandincomingPresident-electtransitionteamsinseveralgovernmentagencies,2wearewritingtocautionyouragencyagainstviolatingfederalwhistleblowerprotectionlawsandprovisionswhichrequirethatanydirectivesbarringemployeecommunicationsincludeexplicitlanguagenotingthattheirwhistleblowingrightssupersedethegagontheirspeech.3Indeed,PresidentTrump’srecentExecutiveOrderdirectingagenciestoreclassifyemployeeswhoareinpolicy-relatedpositionsinto“ScheduleF”workers,whichwouldeffectivelystripemployeesoftheircivilserviceprotections—includingtheirwhistleblowerprotectionrights—sendsamessagetothoseworkerswhoareinthemostlikelypositionsofdiscoveringhigh-level,seriousmisconductthatreportingwrongdoingwillleavethemmostvulnerabletofuturereprisalwithoutaremedy.4Combined,theseeffortshavethelikelyeffectofdeterringemployeesfromreportingseriouswrongdoingtheywitnessintheworkplace.Whistleblowerrightsexisttoencourageemployees,whoareinthebestpositiontoidentifyproblems,toservethepublicbyreportingviolationsoflaws,rules,andregulations,grossmismanagement,grosswasteoffunds,abusesofauthority,andsubstantialandspecificdangerstopublichealthandsafety.Duringaglobalpandemicandavolatiletransitionbetweenadministrations,civilservants,federalcontractorsandgranteesarethefirstlineofdefensetoprevent,mitigateoraddressabusesthatviolatethepublictrust.

1JenniferHansler,KylieAtwoodandNicoleGaouette,“Whistleblowerraisedconcernsabout'questionableactivities'byPompeo,”CNN.July20,2020.https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/20/politics/american-oversight-pompeo-state-oig-complaint/index.html

2LisaFriedman,“Trumpappointeesareparticipatinginsometransitionmeetings,chillingtheflowofsomeinformation.”NewYorkTimes.December9,2020.https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/12/09/us/joe-biden-donald-trump/trump-appointees-are-

participating-in-some-transition-meetings-chilling-the-flow-of-some-information

3IrvinMcCulloughandAddisonRodriguez,“TheTrumpadministrationlovesgagorders.Butthey’reoftenillegal.”WashingtonPost.Octo

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