WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken formally requesting that the Department of State (DOS) take immediate steps to preserve all documents and information related to the Global Engagement Center.
The letter states the Committee is investigating whether Global Engagement Center funding and activities violated the First Amendment. Given the impending termination of the Global Engagement Center, it is critical that all records potentially relevant to the Committee’s ongoing investigation are preserved. Ranking Member Paul noted Secretary Blinken and DOS employees are required by Federal law, including the Federal Records Act, to comply with all document retention and record preservation obligations.
You can read the full letter HERE or below:
Dear Secretary Blinken:
As the current Ranking Member and incoming Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, I write to formally request that the Department of State (DOS) take immediate steps to preserve all documents and information related to the Global Engagement Center. The Committee is investigating whether Global Engagement Center funding and activities violated the First Amendment. Given the impending termination of the Global Engagement Center, it is critical that all records potentially relevant to the Committee’s ongoing investigation are preserved.
DOS should take all necessary steps to prevent the destruction, alteration, or deletion of all relevant documents, communications, or other information, whether such actions are intentional or negligent. This directive applies to both physical and electronic records, including metadata and any other information stored digitally. It also encompasses electronic communications conducted using both official and personal accounts or devices, including records created using text messages, phone-based message applications, or encryption software, all of which could contain information pertinent to this request.
Additionally, I want to remind you and your employees to comply with all document retention and record preservation obligations required in Federal law, including the Federal Records Act. As you know, any unlawful removal or destruction of record, must be reported by you, with assistance of the National Archivist, to the Attorney General, and there are criminal penalties associated with anyone found guilty of willfully engaging in this behavior. This preservation request should be construed broadly to ensure compliance and includes preserving documents and information that may have previously been shared with Congress.
I appreciate your attention to this important matter.
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