A watchdog group has kicked off an investigation into whether improper gifts were received at the recent wedding of Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland.
In a news release, Protect the Public’s Trust (PPT) cited a New York Times report that maintains government officials are prohibited from keeping gifts with a value of more than $390. The report also noted that DOI gift guidelines prevent Haaland from accepting gifts of more than $20 from some sources. According to a Breitbart report, PPT filed Freedom of Information requests with the Office of the Solicitor for records detailing Haaland’s wedding, including guest lists.
“While Secretary Haaland’s wedding is certainly an occasion for celebration, it unfortunately presents an opportunity for those so inclined to sidestep the rules that protect the interests of the American public,” Michael Chamberlain, director of PPT said in a news release.
The watchdog group maintains that Haaland could have put herself in a compromising position and is calling for an investigation to determine whether she committed any ethics violations by accepting inappropriate gifts.
“The onus is on the secretary and the department she has been charged to lead to not only maintain compliance, but be able to demonstrate that to the American public,” Chamberlain said.
Haaland, who is a member of the Laguna Pueblo Tribe, married Skip Sayre Aug. 28 in New Mexico. After the ceremony, photos emerged that showed some guests may not have adhered to COVID-19 safety protocols. The Washington Free Beacon noted that New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, issued a mask mandate in August for indoor events. However, the paper published photos allegedly showing key Democrats without masks at the wedding reception.
"The re-implemented mask requirement applies to all individuals aged 2 and older in all indoor public settings—except when eating or drinking," Grisham said. "The indoor mask requirement will remain in effect until at least Sept. 15."
As the first indigenous person to head the Department of Interior, PPT maintains in its statement that Haaland has regulatory oversight over tribal governments and should have used caution to avoid any appearance of impropriety.
The watchdog group said it is imperative to determine whether Haaland solicited any gifts, either directly or through wedding invitations, that could have compromised her integrity.
