Commerce Watchdog Says Agency is Blocking ‘Sharpiegate’ Report

The Commerce Department is blocking a recent report from its internal watchdog that alleges political pressure to support President Donald Trump’s claims last year that Hurricane Dorian could strike Alabama, the agency’s Office of Inspector General said on Wednesday.

The new memo provoked a stern rebuke from House Democrats. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas), chairwoman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, said she found it “disturbing” that Commerce “appears to be obstructing the Office of Inspector General from releasing its report.”

Johnson also said any retaliation against the OIG would be “transparently corrupt.”

In response, the Commerce Department ...