House Dems say watchdog stonewalling inquiry into Secret Service texts

• Earlier this month, Maloney and Thompson alleged that there was evidence of a cover-up within the inspector general's probe of the missing text messages, and called for Cuffari "to "step aside."

The big picture: In a letter to Cuffari on Tuesday, Maloney and Thompson called on his office to comply with congressional requests for documents and interviews.

• They noted that Cuffari had previously blocked his staff from sitting for transcribed interviews.
• Maloney and Thompson recalled several instances in which Cuffari had failed to properly report information to Congress regarding the missing text messages.

What they're saying: "Your obstruction of the Committees’ investigations is unacceptable, and your justifications for this noncompliance appear to reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of Congress’s authority and your duties as an Inspector General," they wrote.

• "If you continue to refuse to comply with our requests, we will have no choice but to consider alternate measures to ensure your compliance," the letter added.

What's next: Cuffari must provide all requested documents and ensure employees requested for interviews are made available by Aug. 23.