• Homeland’s Inspector General said text messages from Jan. 5-6, 2021 were erased from the system as part of a device replacement program.
• IG letter: “First, the Department notified us that many US Secret Service text messages from January 5 and 6, 2021, were erased as part of a device-replacement program. The USSS erased those text messages after OIG requested records of electronic communications from the USSS, as part of our evaluation of events at the Capitol on January 6.”
• “Second, DHS personnel have repeatedly told OIG inspectors that they were not permitted to provide records directly to OIG and that such records had to first undergo review by DHS attorneys.”

Tagged: Jan. 6 Fallout