Members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee banded together Wednesday to express that they have “no confidence” in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s top official.
Committee Chairman Rep. Jason Chaffetz, Utah Republican, and the committee’s ranking member, Elijah Cummings, Maryland Democrat, issued a joint statement Wednesday that criticized DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart for her inability to combat the agency’s “good ol’ boy” culture.
An additional 20 Republican and Democrat lawmakers signed onto the statement. Mr. Chaffetz told The Associated Press Tuesday that Ms. Leonhart needed to step down amid allegations that DEA agents attended sex parties with prostitutes while stationed overseas.
One day later, Mr. Chaffetz moved to apply additional pressure on Ms. Leonhart in hopes of removing her from her position. His joint statement comes just as the agency has released an internal report, which shows that DEA agents frequently engaged in prostitution at South American sex parties.
“After over a decade of serving in top leadership positions at DEA, Administrator Leonhart has been woefully unable to change or positively influence the pervasive ’good ol’ boy’ culture that exists throughout the agency,” the statement read. “From her testimony, it is clear that she lacks the authority and will to make the tough decisions required to hold those accountable who compromise national security and bring disgrace to their position. Ms. Leonhart has lost the confidence of this Committee to initiate the necessary reforms to restore the reputation of a vital agency.”
• Maggie Ybarra can be reached at mybarra@washingtontimes.com.
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