The senior official performing the duties of the under secretary for intelligence and analysis at the Department of Homeland Security admitted that federal officials lack credibility when refusing to hold agents to account for bad behavior during testimony before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
"Well, taking on white nationalist extremism is something I'm glad this administration is committed to doing but we have ask what happens when these holding those views are part of the nation's law enforcement arms," Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) said.
"A report last month from the Oversight and Reform Committee found that [Customs and Border Patrol] agents who is posted offensive and racist messages on Facebook chats — against agency policy — were found to have a engaged in misconduct. While the discipline review board recommended certain punishments, ultimately the officers faced far reduced penalties."
Castro went on to detail abhorrent behavior by CBP agents that did not result in firing the agents.
"I want to ask you Mr. Cohen, how is DHS able to effectively take on white nationalist extremist groups when DHS employees who echo such views are barely punished?" Castro asked.
"If one is entrusted to enforce the laws of this country, even the perception that this person's actions are being influenced by racist or other extremist beliefs, undermines the credibility of the organization," said John Cohen, the top counterterrorism official in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
"So it's something we take very seriously at the department and we're working to address," he added.
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