Three former DOJ officials accused of leaking intel before election

In the United States, a recent investigation by the Department of Justice's Office of Inspector General revealed that three former senior DOJ officials violated department policies by leaking non-public investigation information to the media shortly before an election. The leaks resulted in the publication of news articles detailing ongoing investigations, which were perceived as attempts to undermine Donald Trump’s electoral prospects. The officials responsible for the leaks had departed from the DOJ by the time the investigation commenced and did not respond to interview requests. The specific investigations that were leaked remain ambiguous, but allegations point towards potential political motivations. Among the content leaked were unverified claims regarding Trump’s connections to Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi, who allegedly sought to support Trump’s campaign with a substantial monetary offer. This investigation undertaking was initially led by former Special Counsel Robert Mueller but was reportedly concluded due to insufficient evidence. In addition, the IG report highlighted that one of the senior officials further breached policies by sharing links to the leaked articles through a DOJ social media account. The report has been sent for evaluation regarding possible violations of the Hatch Act, which governs political activity by federal employees, adding an additional layer of scrutiny to the actions of these officials. The leaks have been criticized as examples of erosion of trust in federal agencies, particularly the DOJ and FBI, amidst increasing concerns about election interference. The consequences of these leaks could have substantial implications for the integrity of the electoral process in America, especially as they occurred approximately 90 days before the 2024 presidential election. This situation has led to broader discussions about transparency and accountability in government agencies, particularly in their interactions with the media, as fears of bias and politicization continue to grow.