Congressional authorities are examining the political backgrounds of Trump's nominees for watchdog positions, raising questions about potential biases.
In a series of confirmation hearings, Anthony D'Esposito and Cheryl Mason, both picks of President Donald Trump, have faced criticism and questions about their suitability for their roles as Inspectors General (IG) at the Department of Labor and the Department of Veterans Affairs, respectively.
Democrats on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee have criticized Cheryl Mason for her previous role as a senior advisor to VA Secretary Doug Collins. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., pointed out that Mason's office was in the secretary's suite. However, Mason asserted that she wasn't involved in any decisions or actions at the VA since Trump's inauguration.
Mason cited her 28 years of experience at the VA, including as chair of the Board of Veterans Appeals during Trump's first term, and said her work as a senior advisor to Collins would align with her work as an IG. She also emphasized the need for the IG role in the department, stating, "the inspector general has 'teeth'."
Mason argued that her role as a senior advisor was to gather information and convey it back, which correlates well to the inspector general role. She also stated that she would lead the IG office "without fear or favor."
Ranking member Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., expressed concerns about Mason's role as a political appointee, stating that it makes her unsuitable for a role providing oversight of the department.
At the Department of Labor, Anthony D'Esposito, a former New York Republican congressman, touted his law enforcement experience during his Senate hearing. He also stated that if confirmed, he would travel to every IG regional office to hear from the men and women on the ground.
D'Esposito prioritized working with local police to combat child labor law violations, particularly as they relate to illegal immigration. He said he would lead the Labor IG office "without fear or favor."
However, both D'Esposito and Mason have faced scrutiny during their confirmation hearings due to their political support for the president and past roles working under Trump-appointed department secretaries. The 2024 report from The New York Times alleged that D'Esposito may have violated House ethics rules by hiring his fiancee's daughter and a woman with whom he was alleged to have had an affair, but these controversies were not addressed during the hearings.
Committee Chair Bill Cassidy said D'Esposito had a "great background" for the role, but Sen. Maggie Hassan expressed concern that he wouldn't commit to continuing open investigations without seeing them first. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, recalled a conversation with Mason where she mentioned that "the secretary is a Coke guy."
As the confirmation process continues, both D'Esposito and Mason will need to address these concerns and demonstrate their commitment to upholding the integrity and independence of their roles as Inspectors General.
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