Last week a senior DHS official attempted to chill potential whistleblowers when he warned employees in a directive that unauthorized disclosures could be in violation of agency policy and federal law. Gag orders like this violate whistleblowing and free speech rights. THREAD ⬇️
1/ Why is this illegal? Because the blanket ban on unauthorized disclosures failed to include statutorily mandated language informing employees that their whistleblower rights supersede any non-disclosure restrictions.
2/ This latest action mirrors past attempts by DHS to illegally attempt to prevent employees from speaking out in fear of violating agency policy or being reported by their colleagues. We challenged a similar directive with AFGE in November 2019. …ress-350926-1087337.cloudwaysapps.com/wp-content/upl…
3/ All of these gag orders violate the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act and appropriations laws. As we approach the election, our Democracy Protection Initiative is providing resources to protect potential whistleblowers in these agencies: Democracy.whistleblower.org
4/ Our Legal Director Tom Devine commented: “Whether through the constitution, Whistleblower Protection Act or appropriations laws, this blanket prior restraint is flat out illegal and incompatible with our democracy.”
5/5 In response, we’ve sent a letter to DHS leadership with @AFGENational Council 119 asking DHS to immediately reissue a corrective communication to department employees reminding them of their right to make protected disclosures. Learn more: whistleblower.org/press-release/…
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