Inhofe Enlists Bush-Appointed IG to Help Him Smoke Out Enviro Leaker

Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

I mentioned earlier today that Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) has an almost refreshing tendency to own up to his wackier attempts at antagonizing the environmental community. And here’s a perfect case in point …

Inhofe has teamed up with the Commerce Department’s inspector general on a mission to unmask the source who gave the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) a draft of the Bush administration’s regulatory attempt to unravel key portions of the Endangered Species Act.

That leak occurred way back in August, but it prompted a storm of critical news coverage. President Obama ultimately moved to block his predecessor’s regulatory move earlier this month after being authorized to do so by Congress.

The Commerce IG has taken the extraordinary step of subpoenaing the NWF to help identify its source, according to the AP. The group plans to fight the summons in court.

When Inhofe was asked if he were the one pushing to plumb for the leaker, the senator issued a candid statement, saying in part:

As we work to provide more accountability and increase transparency in our government, it is imperative we hold those who break the rules responsible.

Latest DC
Comments
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Associate Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: