SE Valley Times

The Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has released previously redacted data regarding the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy’s (ONDCP) Hemisphere Project. This release follows a May 2024 request from Congressman Andy Biggs and Senator Ron Wyden. The lawmakers sought public access to unclassified details from a March 2019 report on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s use of administrative subpoenas for bulk data collection.

In 2024, the House Oversight Committee reviewed legislation aimed at reauthorizing ONDCP, including provisions proposed by Congressman Biggs to enhance Congressional oversight and safeguard privacy. The newly available information highlights the importance of implementing similar reforms across government programs.

Senator Wyden received confirmation from ONDCP that federal funding for Hemisphere ceased as of September 30, 2024, leading to its shutdown.

Congressman Biggs and Senator Wyden have been advocates for privacy protection and issued a joint statement regarding the DOJ OIG's release: “This report contains information that the public has a right to see. The American people demand transparency from their government, and Congress must work to ensure that the federal government is accountable to its citizens. We’re thankful to DOJ OIG for their work to make new information public, and we look forward to further cooperation in the interest of American citizens.”