Trump watchdog under investigation for corruption after agency praised the president

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel will look into allegations that Anthony D’Esposito, a former Long Island congressman now serving as the Labor Department’s inspector general, has let politics seep into his nonpartisan job, Newsday reported.

In a letter Wednesday to the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, OSC said it had “accepted the matter for review.” CREW lodged the complaint in April. The case reached OSC through the Integrity Committee of the inspectors general council, which isn’t acting further.

CREW says D’Esposito used his official X account, @USLaborIG, to share and amplify content praising the administration’s immigration crackdown, Iran military action and economic policies. It argues he “blurred the lines between official duties and political activities,” compromising an inspector general’s required independence. CREW President Donald Sherman said the central question is whether D’Esposito broke the Hatch Act, which restricts partisan political activity among most federal workers, including inspectors general.

D’Esposito, a retired NYPD detective appointed by President Donald Trump, has held the job since January. He served one term in the House, but was rocked by scandals including revelations that he hired his mistress to a $2,000/month campaign job. He lost his seat in 2024 to Democrat Laura Gillen and, until April, hadn’t ruled out resigning to challenge her again.

He brushed off the complaint in an emailed statement.

“They won’t intimidate me,” D’Esposito said, adding that he’d keep exposing fraud and fighting for American workers.