WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined his colleagues in a letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland expressing concerns over the lack of action taken following Tyler Cherry, Department of the Interior's (DOI) spokesperson, posting several anti-police statements online. Cherry’s statements were released amid record-low recruitment and retention for the U.S. Park Police (USPP), an agency within DOI.
The letter notes the staffing crisis at USPP is a public safety issue which merits Congressional oversight.
“As you may be aware, between 2014 and 2018, your Department’s spokesperson, Tyler Cherry, posted a number of offensive and derogatory statements towards law enforcement officers online. We are appalled by these statements, which have come to light amid near-record low staffing at the U.S. Park Police (USPP)—a federal law enforcement agency housed within your Department,” the senators wrote. “We are deeply concerned that the following statements made by Cherry have had a negative impact on the morale of USPP officers and, in turn, contributed to the staffing issues within your Department.”
“Making hateful and divisive public statements towards law enforcement officers is directly counter to the goal of improving police-community relations, increasing officer morale, and recruiting and retaining a high-quality police force,” the senators continued. “Cherry’s conduct is unbecoming of a senior Department of the Interior (DOI) official. Accordingly, we urge you and your Department to immediately condemn these repugnant statements and take appropriate remedial action.”
U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) led the letter to Interior Secretary Haaland. Additional cosigners include U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Mike Braun (R-IN), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Ted Budd (R-NC), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Mike Rounds (R-SD).
Click here to read the letter.