Powerful Democrat seeks probe of CBP leaders after secret Facebook groups revealed

"2nd secret CBP Facebook group shows mocking images 01:18

(CNN)The chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee is calling for the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general to investigate Customs and Border Protection leadership after Facebook groups associated with the agency were found to contain vulgar and offensive posts.



Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Mississippi Democrat, sent a letter Friday to the Homeland Security Department's acting inspector general requesting an investigation into whether Customs and Border Protection and Department of Homeland Security leadership -- specifically acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan, acting Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Mark Morgan and Border Patrol Chief Carla Provost -- knew about or addressed allegations that Customs and Border Protection agents had "posted violent, racist, misogynistic comments and pictures" in the groups.

"Such vile and threatening behavior from agents of the United States Government is entirely unacceptable, should be grounds for immediate dismissal from service, and is the subject of an investigation by CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility," Thompson said.

Thompson's request comes on the heels of Customs and Border Protection officials announcing an investigation into "disturbing social media activity" after a published report of a closed Facebook group for current and former Border Patrol agents called "I'm 10-15." The group reportedly featured jokes about migrant deaths and derogatory comments about Latina lawmakers.

CNN reported on Friday the existence of at least one other such group called "The Real CBP Nation," which has around 1,000 members and featured images mocking the separations of migrant families, disrespecting New York's Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and deriding Asians and African Americans.

Thompson pointed to media reports that Morgan had been aware of the group since 2016, when he was Border Patrol chief, and that high-ranking Customs and Border Protection officials knew of the group and used it to gain information.



"If accurate, this report calls into question Mr. Morgan's fitness to hold any office in the United States Government," Thompson wrote.



Customs and Border Protection has been aware of troubling social media activity for more than a year. In February 2018, a senior Customs and Border Protection official warned all agency employees of potential discipline after having been informed of a private Facebook group with inappropriate and offensive posts, according to a memo obtained by CNN."



Powerful Democrat seeks probe of CBP leaders after secret Facebook groups revealed