An inquiry by Congress revealed that US Coast Guard leaders were using nondisclosure agreements to prevent sexual assault victims from speaking out about their alleged attacks. Senator Ted Cruz criticized this practice as illegal and stated that it was part of an effort to conceal information about rapes and sexual assaults at the Coast Guard Academy. The Coast Guard stated that the agreements were intended to protect the integrity of investigations and the privacy of other victims and witnesses. However, Cruz argued that silencing victims and restricting communication with Congress violated federal laws.
The congressional review by the Senate Commerce Committee was initiated after CNN reported on a secret Coast Guard probe called “Operation Fouled Anchor”, which uncovered decades of cover-ups of sexual misconduct within the agency. Cruz’s letter to Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan called for an immediate end to the use of prohibited NDAs and highlighted that individuals subject to these agreements included subjects, investigators, witnesses, and assault victims themselves. The matter has been referred to other government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General, for further investigation.
Following the Fouled Anchor controversy, Commandant Fagan issued apologies and implemented reforms to address the mishandling of sexual assault cases within the Coast Guard. However, members of Congress expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of transparency and have introduced legislative fixes to hold the agency accountable. Senator Chris Murphy announced funding for an independent review and increased oversight to ensure transparency and accountability regarding the Coast Guard’s handling of Operation Fouled Anchor findings. A recent GAO report also emphasized the need for effective culture change within the Coast Guard.
In his letter, Cruz highlighted the Coast Guard’s resistance to allowing interviews with attorneys involved in the probe and noted that officials up for high-level promotions had only provided conditional commitments to be honest and transparent with Congress. He criticized the lack of cooperation with the ongoing Inspector General investigation and called it a disservice to the survivors of rape and sexual assaults at the Academy. The Coast Guard’s handling of the matter was seen as detrimental to the victims who had already been failed by the agency’s previous actions. The spotlight on the Coast Guard’s misconduct regarding sexual assault cases has prompted calls for increased accountability and reforms within the agency.
