Pallone, NJ Democrats Demand Investigation Into Trump Admin’s Illegal Release of Rep. Sherrill’s Military Records

Washington, D.C.- Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06) today led New Jersey's Democratic congressional delegation in demanding an immediate investigation into the Trump Administration's illegal release of Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill's military personnel records. The lawmakers called on the Chairmen of the Armed Services, Oversight, and Veterans' Affairs Committees to open a full probe into what they describe as a dangerous effort to weaponize the federal government and meddle in New Jersey's upcoming gubernatorial election.

"As a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Congresswoman Sherrill served our Nation with distinction and honor. The illegal release of any servicemember's full, unredacted military records violates the Privacy Act of 1974. That is why your committees must launch investigations into this remarkable Trump Administration failure," the members wrote.

Congresswoman Sherrill, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and former Navy helicopter pilot, served the nation with distinction before continuing her career as a federal prosecutor and now a Member of Congress. Her colleagues say the unlawful disclosure of her full, unredacted records - including her Social Security number and sensitive information about her family - represents a brazen abuse of power intended to tarnish her reputation for political gain.

"This unprecedented act is a serious violation of privacy - from putting her Social Security number on nearly every page to disclosing sensitive personal information about her family - and a blatant breach of clear protocols for handling sensitive and classified documents. This is a dangerous and corrupt attempt to weaponize the federal government for political purposes and meddle in New Jersey's fall elections. Determining all individuals involved in this illegal act and punishing them to the fullest extent of the law is essential to restoring public trust and reassuring current and former servicemembers that their privacy will not be violated by their own government, nor will their military service be misconstrued for partisan gain," the members wrote.

The letter underscores Congresswoman Sherrill's bipartisan record of delivering results for New Jersey's 11th District, particularly her work on the House Armed Services Committee on behalf of Picatinny Arsenal and military families. The Members pledged to assist the committees as they begin their investigative work and urged regular updates on progress.

The full New Jersey Democratic congressional delegation joined Pallone on the letter: Sen. Cory Booker, Sen. Andy Kim, Rep. Donald Norcross, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, Rep. Herb Conaway, Rep. LaMonica McIver, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rep. Nellie Pou, and Rep. Rob Menendez.

Full letter is hereand below:

Chairmen Rogers, Bost, Comer, Wicker, Paul, and Moran:

We write demanding the immediate opening of an investigation into the illegal release of Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill's military personnel records. As a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Congresswoman Sherrill served our Nation with distinction and honor. The illegal release of any servicemember's full, unredacted military records violates the Privacy Act of 1974. That is why your committees must launch investigations into this remarkable Trump Administration failure.

Today, we learned that records linked to Congresswoman Sherrill's military service were illegally released as part of an unsuccessful attempt to tarnish her reputation. This unprecedented act is a serious violation of privacy - from putting her Social Security number on nearly every page to disclosing sensitive personal information about her family - and a blatant breach of clear protocols for handling sensitive documents. This is a dangerous and corrupt attempt to weaponize the federal government for political purposes and meddle in New Jersey's fall elections. Determining all individuals involved in this illegal act and punishing them to the fullest extent of the law is essential to restoring public trust and reassuring current and former servicemembers that their privacy will not be violated by their own government, nor will their military service be misconstrued for partisan gain.

Congresswoman Sherrill has a well-documented record of serving our country as an officer in the Navy, a federal prosecutor, and a Member of the United States House of Representatives. She has a proven track record as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, where she has worked diligently in a bipartisan manner to deliver results for Picatinny Arsenal and the constituents of New Jersey's 11th Congressional District.

Under no circumstances should any veteran who answered the call of duty to serve our country have to worry about their sensitive military records being leaked and used as part of a political smear campaign. We demand that you open an investigation into this illegal act and use the full extent of your investigative authorities to shine a bright light on this inexcusable and illegal act.

We stand ready to assist you in any possible way, and ask that you regularly provide us with updates as your committees work through the investigative process.

Sincerely,

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