Coalition asks Biden to demand Energy Secretary Granholm’s resignation over ‘repeated’ ethics lapses

A coalition of nonprofits dedicated to governmental accountability is asking President Biden to ask Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm to immediately resign over what the group believes to be her numerous violations of federal ethics laws.

The 14 groups, in their letter, also argues Granholm's "poor example" has resulted in "ethics failures and legal missteps of her subordinates."

Among the "litany of abuses of public trust" cited in the letter are allegations Granholm failed to accurately report financial holdings, inappropriately used her official position to promote products for multiple companies in which she had a financial interest and misused government resources for partisan interests.

The letter was issued by conservative-leaning groups Media Research Center President Leo Bozell, Protect the Public’s Trust Director Michael Chamberlain, Energy & Environment Legal Institute President Craig Richardson and 11 others.

You can read the full version here.

"In light of the repeated ethical lapses as well as the apparent tolerance of a lax culture of ethical compliance at the Department of Energy, it is crucial for ensuring the trust of the American people that Secretary Granholm be immediately relieved of her duties, the letter also reads.

Granholm’s husband owned undisclosed stock in Ford, which the group argues is a conflict of interest because Granholm's agency awarded the U.S automaker over $9 billion in federal subsidies for EV manufacturing.

In June, Granholm acknowledged making inaccurate statements to Congress about stocks she owned.

Last year, she warned about being in violation of the Hatch Act for encouraging votes for Democrats during an interview.

Granholm has also been criticized for having announcing nearly $200 million in funding to firms tied to Proterra, an EV company that has since filed for bankruptcy.

Granholm used to serve on Proterra’s board, and its CEO is a Biden appointee.

"Since you took office, your administration has continually touted its commitment to ethics," the letter to Biden reads. "The current moment presents an opportunity to demonstrate to the American public that such pronouncements have meaning."