Federal Criminal Investigation of BP Oil Spill Begins Political Storm

The now infamous BP oil spill, started by the deadly underwater explosion of Deepwater Horizon rig, has become the largest oil spill in U.S. history. The tragic accident, occurring about 40 miles off the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, has since been the site of a constant oil leak. This is probably not the sort of brand recognition BP would like to be associated with. BP and government officials are still scrambling to stop the leak. Yesterday, Attorney General Eric Holder announced the launch of a criminal and civil investigation into BP and the events leading up to and following the explosion and subsequent oil leak. This announcement has added to the brewing political firestorm that has crept into the oil spill catastrophe.

Holder Announces BP Federal Investigation

At a press conference Monday, June 1st, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that preliminary stages of a federal investigation have been underway for several weeks. Holder promised that "every cent of taxpayer money will be repaid and damages to the environment and wildlife will be reimbursed". Announcing his office's intention to enforce all applicable civil and criminal penalties, Holder said it is important that "anyone found responsible for this spill is held accountable". Holder was very careful not to name BP as the sole target of investigation and did not specify which companies are being probed.

Until yesterday, BP and agencies of the federal government often held press conferences together to brief the public on any updates or progress in regards to the oil spill. In light of the federal investigation, the government now refuses to hold joint press conferences with BP. Why the sudden change? Probably because politicians have been slow to realize that this event has become a key issue for debate in future political campaigns. With environmentalist groups enraged and the general public concerned with the continued failure to stop this leak, the government appears to be cutting off their joint efforts with BP to abandon the sinking ship. BP is in the middle of a public relations nightmare; politicians who anticipate any future career advancement want nothing to do with it.

Politicization of BP Oil Spill

Americans are used to tragic events becoming political battlegrounds, 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina being examples in recent history. The BP oil spill seems to have become the newest to join the list. The oil spill has already been dubbed "President Obama's Katrina" by some critics who complain that Obama's lack of response is to blame for the continued leak. Many hold President Obama personally responsible for bringing the oil spill to a halt and seeing that the wildlife is restored. The unfortunate truth of the matter is that neither President Obama, nor the federal government, is equipped to handle this issue alone. A natural disaster is not to blame for the devastation occurring on the Gulf Coast, making Hurricane Katrina an unfair comparison. Politicians should hold back harsh accusations of BP until after this spill is fixed. Ostracizing the only company that has the equipment and technical know-how for the job of cleaning up this oil spill doesn't seem to be a very strategic move. It is unfortunate that it so happens to be the same company that is the source of the oil spill, but sometimes we have to play the cards that we were dealt.

So before we start pointing fingers, can't we work together to get this problem fixed as quickly as possible? It doesn't seem fathomable that BP would not want this issue cleared up as soon as possible like the rest of us. Every day the spill continues is revenue lost, both in product and negative press, for BP. Instead of turning the BP oil spill in to a full-blown political free-for-all, let's try to remember the innocent victims who are suffering more each day that this disaster continues. Work together to preserve what wildlife and natural resources that we can. Save the mud-slinging for later, we all know we'll get plenty of it during campaign season.

Sources Cited:
"Attorney General Eric Holder on Gulf Oil Spill." United States Department of Justice
"Governor Jindal: President Promised Sand-Boom Plan Progress, Need Swift Action." Office of the Governor Bobby Jindal
"U.S. launches criminal probe of BP spill." MSNBC
"Is oil spill becoming Obama's Katrina?" USA Today