Embattled Homeland Security Watchdog Pressed on Independence

A congressional hearing on Biden-era immigration policies turned into a partisan skirmish over whether lawmakers can trust the Department of Homeland Security watchdog charged with investigating the agency.

Inspector General Joseph Cuffari was the focus of the sparring during an Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee hearing Wednesday, as Democrats questioned his independence and Republicans accused them of engaging in a smear campaign.

Republicans called the hearing to learn more about Cuffari’s findings that President Joe Biden’s administration failed to adequately vet sponsors and lost track of many unaccompanied migrant children. The meeting — disrupted by unrelated wrangling over the release ...