Samuel Case, FISM News
Three lawmakers from Michigan are pursuing an inquiry into the U.S. Justice Department’s decision to forgo a civil investigation into nursing home deaths in New York, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
FISM News reported at the time of the DOJ’s decision: “Led by Democratic governors, each state had similar policies which admitted patients into nursing homes even if they had tested positive for COVID-19, which allegedly led to increased rates of death among the older population. The Trump Justice Department previously requested data on whether these policies resulted in the deaths of nursing home residents.”
In a letter to Inspector General Michael Horowitz, representatives Lisa McClain, Tim Walberg, and Bill Huizenga wrote that the DOJ’s decision not to investigate “has thousands of Michiganders across the state concerned. Families all across the state are demanding answers for why their loved ones were locked in facilities with Covid carrying individuals. For over a year, Michiganders have demanded answers from their governor to no avail.”
The representatives have requested that Horowitz look into the following question:
1. Who made the final decision within the department to forgo an investigation?
2. What data or information did the Department acquire from the Governor of Michigan that exonerated her of any wrongdoing?
3. Was anyone within the Administration in contact with officials at DOJ concerning the Michigan inquiry?
4. Was anyone within the Executive Office of the President in contact with officials at DOJ concerning the Michigan inquiry?
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel also has said she will not investigate Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s role in the state’s nursing home deaths. In March Nessel had said that she will “not abuse the investigatory powers of this Department to launch a political attack on any state official, regardless of party or beliefs.”