Following Surprise Resignation of Key Student Loan Official, Group Expands Investigation of Education Dept.

“I cannot in good conscience continue to be accountable as Chief Operating Officer given the risk associated with the current environment at the [Education] Department.” – James Runcie, COO of Federal Student Aid


 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This afternoon Allied Progress announced it will expand its investigation of the Department of Education and its maladroit leader, Betsy DeVos, to include today’s surprise resignation of James Runcie from his position as chief operating officer of the federal government’s $1.4 trillion student aid program.

Runcie’s resignation comes as Secretary DeVos testifies on the Hill in support of President Trump’s budget, which will make it harder for working families to afford a college education by slashing $140 billion from higher education and ending or crippling important student aid programs.

Mr. Runcie’s resignation raises more questions about the management of the Department of Education and the dangerous policies they’re advocating. We’re committed to getting to the bottom of what is happening and making that information available to the public,” said Karl Frisch, executive director of Allied Progress.

In his resignation letter, Runcie wrote that he “[could not] in good conscience continue to be accountable as Chief Operating Officer given the risk associated with the current environment at the [Education] Department.”

As part of its investigation of the Department of Education, Allied Progress will file two additional Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests: one for Mr. Runcie’s 1,000 most recent emails and his calendar, and a second for all communications between Runcie and Trump administration appointees, including Secretary DeVos.

We have filed multiple FOIA requests demanding answers and are prepared to go to court to compel the administration to make these records public. The American people deserve to know what is going on at the Department of Education under Secretary DeVos,” asserted Frisch.

Earlier today Allied Progress launched an investigation into how Secretary DeVos and her family might benefit financially from changes to important student loan programs proposed in the budget that could ultimately result in increased defaults. The investigation includes, among other things, FOIA requests submitted this morning to the Department of Education and Office of Government Ethics.

To speak with Karl Frisch about this DOE investigation, please contact Mike Czin at 202-286-7654 or mczin@skdknick.com.

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Allied Progress is a nationwide, progressive advocacy organization that uses hard-hitting research and creative campaigns to hold Wall Street and powerful special interests accountable. Since launching in 2015, the organization has led high-profile campaigns on several issues including reforming the payday lending industry and exposing the those working to cripple the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

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