Following an FBI investigation, the U.S. State Department's Inspector General has initiated an internal probe into the actions leading up to and following the suspension of President Joe Biden's special envoy to Iran, Robert Mali.
On January 23, the Inspector General's office informed Congress members about the investigation in response to growing questions from U.S. lawmakers regarding Mali's status and the reasons behind the Diplomatic Security Service's decision to revoke his security clearance in April, as seen in communications reviewed by Semaphore.
Mali continued his duties as the special envoy for approximately three months before the State Department formally placed him on unpaid leave in late June.
Ryan Holden, Director of Congressional Affairs and Public Affairs, stated, "The review's scope regarding Robert Mali's clearance suspension will include the department's procedures in suspending his clearance and the actions taken post-suspension. This will involve examining whether appropriate protocols were followed in the suspension, assessing the information he may retain, and determining his employment status."
Holden's letter also noted that the special review would examine the officials involved in these decisions and compare the process to that applied to other types of employees.
The Inspector General is conducting interviews with State Department employees and reviewing documents and emails as part of the investigation.
The report will eventually be published, and on April 21, the State Department informed Mali of "receiving information that raises serious security concerns and could lead to his disqualification under the National Security Adjudicative Guidelines."
Semaphore reported in July that the FBI is also investigating Mali for allegedly mishandling classified information.
Mali's suspension has become one of Washington's biggest mysteries, especially in a presidential election year, with Republicans strongly criticizing the diplomat's efforts in dealing with Iran since becoming a special envoy in 2021. However, his suspension has made him a more significant target for conservative attacks.
Earlier this month, it was reported that the NGO Mali headed before becoming a special envoy, the International Crisis Group, had entered into a formal research agreement with the Iranian Foreign Ministry in 2016, which was not publicly disclosed.
It was also reported in September that senior aides to Mali, both within the U.S. government and the Crisis Group, were part of the Iran expert initiative, a network of academics and researchers used by Iranian officials to promote Tehran's stance on its nuclear program during the Obama administration, which was also undisclosed.
Congressional staff revealed this week that the Inspector General's investigation into Mali's suspension is likely to further complicate matters.
Many lawmakers are concerned about Mali's continued work at the State Department for months after his suspension and hope the new investigation will clarify the reasons. They are also focused on identifying the specific violations that led to the revocation of his security clearance.
However, Republican sources also indicated that the investigation's broad scope might mean it won't be completed or announced until after the November presidential elections.
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