New Interior watchdog policy limits interactions with press - Entrepreneur Generations

The Interior Department's internal watchdog is investigating six Interior officials for potential ethics violations, including Secretary David Bernhardt and former Secretary Ryan Zinke, but it won't be sharing any details with the press. A new policy in the inspector general's office prohibits its press office from providing journalists with any information beyond "Our work speaks for itself" or "We have no comment," Miranda Green reports for The Hill.

"The policy, which took effect Aug. 5, is a change from the previous practice of sometimes providing reporters with background or additional information," Green reports. "The policy change comes under the leadership of acting Inspector General Gail Ennis."

Ennis, a former partner at a law firm whose clients lobbied the Interior, has risen quickly in the administration. President Trump appointed her as the Social Security Administration inspector general early this year, then added the Interior role in May. "Unlike most IG officials, who are usually career government employees, Ennis is a political appointee who previously contributed to Trump’s campaign, Green reports.

It's unclear whether Ennis' permanent replacement, Mark Lee Greenblatt, will continue the press policy when he assumes the role in the coming weeks, Green reports.

from The Rural Blog https://ift.tt/2Z6Ev7c New Interior watchdog policy limits interactions with press - Entrepreneur Generations

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