Federal Education Department reportedly resists inquiry by internal investigator concerning staff reduction, as claimed by Democrats.

The Education Department finds itself in the midst of a controversy, as the Office of Inspector General (OIG) faces challenges in conducting an independent and timely review.

The trigger for this situation was a letter penned by the ranking members of the House and Senate education, oversight, and appropriations committees. The letter was prompted by a May 23 notification from acting Education IG René L. Rocque, who reported unreasonable denials and repeated delays from the Department in providing access to documents, staff, and information.

Rocque's office has expressed concern over the department's practices, such as requiring a representative from the Office of General Counsel to be present during IG interviews with staff. This contradicts longstanding practice and has hindered the OIG's ability to carry out its duties.

The department has stated that the requested information cannot be provided because it is "deliberative...and the subject of ongoing administrative and court litigation." However, Rocque has asserted that this is not a legally valid reason for withholding documents from an IG.

The previous Education IG was fired by Trump in January, raising questions about the department's commitment to fully cooperating with the OIG. The current situation has led to significant delays, with Rocque announcing that her office would not be able to begin issuing their report this summer as planned.

Congressional Democrats have expressed concerns about the department's ability to continue delivering statutory programs after reduction in force actions. Media reports suggest that department programs and services have experienced slowdowns following staff cuts.

In a preliminary district court order, a judge concluded that staff cuts made it impossible for the department to perform legally mandated duties. The judge's order also suggested that the department is being targeted for elimination.

The Education Department did not respond to a request for comment regarding the issues raised in the letter. The department has been asked to provide a date for the OIG to receive the required materials by a specific date and to justify any reasons for noncompliance.

The search results do not provide information on René L. Rocque's appointment date as the person appointed to lead the Inspectorate General of the Ministry of Education. Despite the challenges, Rocque remains committed to ensuring the OIG's independence and ability to carry out its duties effectively.