Watchdog Fired by Trump Was Investigating Pompeo, House Foreign Affairs Chair Says
Following another ouster of a government watchdog by the president, Trump is being accused of possibly committing an unlawful act of retaliation by the Democratic chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Late Friday, Trump informed Congress in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of his intent to fire State Department Inspector General Steve Linick. Ambassador Stephen Akard, who has ties with Vice President Mike Pence, will fill Linicks position when it becomes vacant in 30 days.
According to Politico, the president said he no longer had the fullest confidence in Linick, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama in 2013.
Democratic Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Eliot Engel released a statement blasting the presidents move and called into question its legality and Trumps motives.
I have learned that the Office of the Inspector General had opened an investigation into Secretary Pompeo. Mr. Linicks firing amid such a probe strongly suggests that this is an unlawful act of retaliation, Engel wrote.
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-fires-ig-investigating-pompeo-house-foreign-affairs-chair-says-1000918/