GOP Senators Express Concerns Over Sudden Reassignment of Department of Energy Director

GOP senators, led by Sen. Jim Risch, have expressed concerns over the "sudden" reassignment of Steven Black, the director of the Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence at the Department of Energy (DOE). In a letter to DOE Secretary Jennifer Granholm, the senators highlighted a contractor study that revealed serious shortcomings in counterintelligence across the department, including national laboratories. The senators are seeking answers regarding the reasons for Black's reassignment, the influence of the contractor study on the decision, and clarity on his new role within the department. They argue that if Black presided over the DOE-IN during a time of counterintelligence issues, he should not be assigned to any office with national security responsibilities.