GAO Watchdog to Step Down Amid Investigations

The federal government’s oversight head plans to resign by the end of the year while investigations into the Trump administration are underway. On Wednesday, he announced that Oris Williams Brown, the chief operating officer of the Government Accountability Office (GAO), will succeed him.

Comptroller Gene Dodaro, who has spent 15 years at the GAO, will leave by December 30. Williams Brown’s first task will involve investigating claims that the Trump administration improperly withheld billions in federal funds.

Past GAO inquiries into similar issues have found that the executive branch unlawfully withheld federal funds. For instance, a report from January 2020 accused the White House of illegal conduct regarding military aid to Ukraine in 2019.

This withholding occurred during Trump’s push for Ukraine to investigate Hunter Biden and the gas company, Burisma, where he was employed. An Office of Management and Budget spokesperson had argued at the time that their actions were lawful, despite the GAO’s findings.

Furthermore, in September, the GAO indicated there was evidence pointing to illegal withholding of FEMA funds as well. There’s been growing pressure for the GAO to take legal action against the Trump administration, with some Republican lawmakers alleging bias against it.

Currently, many other investigations related to the withholding of federal funds are ongoing, but it’s not clear what decisions will be made. The leadership position Williams Brown will assume might only be temporary, as bipartisan senators are expected to create a candidate list for a permanent comptroller.

Interestingly, Dodaro’s tenure as GAO head came about since the acting official was included in the selection process. According to reports, Williams Brown has 30 years of experience with the GAO and previously managed the agency’s Congressional Relations. She will also make history as the first woman to lead the GAO.