In this special episode of CAFE Insider, “The Oversight Wars,” Preet and Anne are joined by Neil Barofsky, who served as the Special Inspector General for TARP, the chief watchdog in charge of policing the 2008 Wall Street bailout. Drawing on Neil’s experience overseeing the last massive government stimulus package, Preet and Anne break down all the latest issues and developments, including:

— The challenges inherent in the oversight system outlined in the stimulus law, and the incredible amount of power in the hands of Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin.

— Trump’s decision to appoint Brian Miller, one of his own White House lawyers, to the position of Inspector General for Pandemic Relief, and the importance of having independent-minded, qualified lawyers in oversight roles. 

— The news that Trump has fired Michael Atkinson, the Inspector General for the Intelligence Community, ostensibly as payback for his role in bringing to light the whistleblower complaint that ultimately led to the President’s impeachment. 

Preet and Anne also break down the latest politically-charged legal news, including:

— The disturbing new report from the DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz exposing widespread problems with the FISA warrant application process.

— The legal battle over voting in Wisconsin, the Supreme Court’s last-minute decision mandating that they move forward with the election, and the implications for the upcoming November election. 

We hope you’re enjoying CAFE Insider. Email us at [email protected] with your suggestions and questions for Preet and Anne.

REFERENCES & SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS

NEIL BAROFKSY BIO: 

• Neil Barofsky Jenner & Block profile
• “Bad Banks, Big Bailouts and Bruises,” New York Times, 7/24/12
• “Neil Barofsky’s Journey into a Bailout Buzzsaw,” New York Times, 7/21/12

COVID-19 UPDATE

• “Americans warned of ‘Pearl Harbor moment’ as Trump tells parts of nation to brace for “peak,” Washington Post, 4/5/20
• “Trump administration orders 167m face masks from 3M for Coronavirus Pandemic,” Wall Street Journal, 4/6/20
• “Fauci says we may never get ‘back to normal’ after pandemic,” CNBC, 4/6/20

STIMULUS OVERSIGHT 

• CARES Act, Congress.gov
• CLIP: Trump says “I’ll be the oversight,” C-SPAN, 3/23/20
• “How Congress will keep an eye on $2 trillion in stimulus money,” Politico, 4/1/20
• “Trump says he won’t comply with key transparency measures in stimulus bill,” Vox, 3/28/20
• “Trump nominates White House lawyer to oversee coronavirus business loans,” Wall Street Journal, 4/4/20
• “Warren appointed to Congressional Panel Overseeing Treasury’s Economic Bailout Plan,” Harvard, 11/21/08

ATKINSON FIRING 

• Trump letter to House and Senate Intel chairs announcing firing of Atkinson, 4/3/20
• “Congress flummoxed by firing of top Intel Watchdog,” Politico, 4/6/20
• Susan Collins’ statement calling Atkinson’s removal “not warranted,” 4/3/20
• “Michael Atkinson, fired by Trump, encourages whistleblowers to ‘bravely speak up,’” New York Times, 4/6/20
• “The Obama White House fires a Watchdog,” Wall Street Journal, 6/17/09

GLENN FINE REMOVAL 

• “Trump removes inspector general who was to oversee $2 trillion stimulus spending,” Washington Post, 4/7/20
• “Trump removes independent watchdog, upending oversight panel,” Politico, 4/7/20
• VIDEO: “I Love Lucy” Candy factory episode

FISA

• DOJ IG Michael Horowitz’ report on FISA abuses, 3/30/20
• “The Inspector General’s Disturbing FISA memo,” Lawfare, 3/31/20

WISCONSIN ELECTION

• The Republican National Committee v. The Democratic National Committee (2020), the Supreme Court’s 4/6/20 decision on absentee voting in Wisconsin amid coronavirus pandemic
• “Wisconsin Set to Vote on Tuesday after Court Overrules Governor’s Postponement,” New York Times, 4/6/20

SUPPLY CHAIN

• “What Everyone is Getting Wrong about the Toilet Paper Shortage,” Will Oremus Medium article, 4/2/20