The process of retrieving deleted Secret Service text messages was delayed by the Department of Homeland Security.
The Secret Service and DHS Inspector General clashed earlier this month after Cuffari wrote a letter to lawmakers saying the Secret Service had deleted text messages before the Capitol riot. The deleted text messages were the result of a system migration.
According to The Post, Cuffari's office initially planned to have the Secret Service turn over their phones in February in order to recover lost data. The office decided not to collect the phones by the end of February, according to sources.
The deleted messages were the subject of a letter sent by Cuffari's office. The office was aware of the deleted messages as early as December, according to The Post. Sources told CNN that Cuffari was aware of them.
The Post reported that Cuffari didn't mention the missing text messages in the letter.
The House committee subpoenaed the Secret Service for text messages. The committee has yet to receive a text message from the Secret Service.
According to the House committee, the deletion of text messages may be a violation of the Federal Records Act.
The procedure for preserving content prior to the purge appears to have been contrary to federal records retention requirements.
The chairs of the House Oversight and House Homeland Security have called for Cuffari to step down from the investigation. They said his delay in telling Congress about the Secret Service records casts doubt on his ability to conduct an important investigation.
DHS and Cuffari's office did not reply to Insider's requests.
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