Bad Watchdog

What happens when the watchdog tasked with overseeing the most powerful law enforcement agency in the country doesn’t do its job?

In a six-part series, host Maren Machles and POGO investigative reporters uncover a shocking pattern of misconduct at the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, which resulted in a failure to investigate some of the most troubling events in recent history.

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Bad Watchdog Episode 6: The Perfect Storm

Bad Watchdog Episode 6: The Perfect Storm

Maren returns to the missing January 6 texts scandal with a fresh perspective, some new evidence, and finally asks the...

February 23, 2023 |Podcast

Bad Watchdog Episode 5: Who is Joseph Cuffari?

Bad Watchdog Episode 5: Who is Joseph Cuffari?

Nick and Adam detail DHS watchdog Cuffari’s early fights with his own staff, alleged ethics violations, and dubious qualifications. Maren...

February 16, 2023 |Podcast

Bad Watchdog Episode 4: The Story of an Agency

Bad Watchdog Episode 4: The Story of an Agency

Maren talks to former Border Patrol officer and current reform advocate Jenn Budd about her own painful experiences working for...

February 09, 2023 |Podcast

Bad Watchdog Episode 3: Abuse of Power and People

Bad Watchdog Episode 3: Abuse of Power and People

Nick and Adam reflect on the implications of the domestic violence findings at DHS and poke holes in Cuffari’s excuses...

February 02, 2023 |Podcast