BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined his colleagues in sending a letter to Acting Inspector General Diana Shaw calling for an independent investigation into whether State Department officials complied with all appropriate laws and regulations with respect to the suspension of Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley’s access to classified information.
“Given the role and responsibilities of the Special Envoy for Iran and the position’s importance to securing U.S. national security interests, we were alarmed to learn that the U.S. Department of State has suspended Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley’s clearance, is conducting an investigation into Malley’s handling of classified information, and only recently placed Malley on leave without pay. We write to request that the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) conduct an independent investigation into whether State Department officials complied with all appropriate laws and regulations—including policies and procedures described in the State Department’s Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM)—with regard to the suspension of Special Envoy for Iran Malley’s access to classified information,” wrote the senators.
Joining Senator Cramer are Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Tim Scott (R-SC), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Rick Scott (R-FL), John Barrasso (R-WY), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), James Lankford (R-OK), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Ted Budd (R-NC), and Mike Braun (R-IN).
Click here to read the letter.