A Biden administration official has been arrested on a second felony charge, putting the White House in yet another awkward position.
A felony warrant on grand larceny charges was issued for Sam Brinton,a “gender fluid” deputy assistant secretary for spent fuel and waste disposition at the Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy, 8 News Now reported.
According to 8Newsnow: “A felony warrant was issued for Sam Brinton, a deputy assistant secretary, sources said. The charge is for grand larceny with a value between $1,200 and $5,000, records showed. Brinton is a deputy assistant secretary of the office of spent fuel and waste disposition, according to the Office of Nuclear Energy’s website.”
Brinton is on leave from the Department after being charged with a felony last month with stealing luggage from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) noted: “Re. Sam Brinton, let’s call it what it is: a person clearly unfit for a high-level national security role was hired because the Admin prioritizes wokeness over competence.”
Re. Sam Brinton, let's call it what it is: a person clearly unfit for a high-level national security role was hired because the Admin prioritizes wokeness over competence.
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) December 9, 2022
Georgia R?ep. ?Andrew Clyde (R) and 15 other Republicans sent a letter to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm last week demanding Brinton resign.
They noted:
“We write to respectfully demand the resignation of the Department of Energy’s Deputy Assistant Secretary of Spent Fuel and Waste Disposition, Sam Brinton, who was recently put on leave following felony theft charges,” the letter said.
“Despite not checking a bag before flying out of Washington, D.C., surveillance footage reveals Brinton taking and leaving with luggage from the baggage carousel at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport on September 16th.
“After initially lying to the police, Brinton later admitted to taking a suitcase valued at $2,325 and hiding the owner’s belongings in a hotel room.
“Alarmingly, Brinton has been observed using the stolen suitcase on multiple trips to Washington, D.C.3 , and was ultimately charged with felony theft, which carries a penalty of up to five years imprisonment, a $10,000 fine, or both.
It’s official. As of June 19th, I now serve my nation as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Spent Fuel and Waste Disposition in the Office of Nuclear Energy in the Department of Energy. pic.twitter.com/zLq3Bf97X2
— Sam Brinton (@sbrinton) June 29, 2022
“As you are aware, your Department issued notice that Sam Brinton was placed on leave without providing crucial context clarifying that Brinton’s recent employment status was the result of a felony charge.
“As an appointed official, Sam Brinton represents both your Department and the United States. It is simply not possible for an individual to represent American values and simultaneously violate the felony laws of the land.
“Brinton’s actions, along with your Department’s lack of transparency when dealing with this matter, reflect poorly on the Department of Energy, and they raise concern as to the Biden Administration’s priorities when appointing high-ranking officials.
“It is imperative that we do not allow a person charged with a felony to influence America’s policies,” the lawmakers said.
“However, to many Americans, it appears that you are more interested in playing politics and protecting an employee who admitted to felony theft to police than providing real solutions for hard-working Americans,” they said.
“Therefore, we demand the resignation of Sam Brinton, and we implore you to set aside petty politics and appoint only the most qualified and dedicated individuals to influence America’s energy sector,” they wrote.
