Sen. Chuck Grassley says of the firing of the State Department inspector general: “As I’ve said before, Congress requires written reasons justifying an IG’s removal. A general lack of confidence simply is not sufficient detail to satisfy Congress.”
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) May 16, 2020
Senator Johnson is the committee chair responsible for protecting the inspector general program. Last night, President Trump retaliated against yet another inspector general. What does Senator Johnson do about it? Thank the president for praising him. https://t.co/1rKSKTsi0I
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) May 16, 2020
On the firing of State Department inspector general Steve Linick, a White House official says, "Secretary Pompeo recommended the move, and President Trump agreed.”
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) May 16, 2020
This is relevant because officials say Linick had begun an investigation into possible misconduct by Pompeo.
Inbox: Sen. Menendez and Rep. Engel have launched an investigation into Trump's firing of State Dept. Inspector General Steve Linick.
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) May 16, 2020
Writing to the W.H., State, and State OIG, the lawmakers request officials preserve all records related to the firing and turn over by May 22.
The president notified Congress he will remove State Dept Inspector General and now Congressional Democrats say they are launching an investigation of the firing of Steve Linick pic.twitter.com/KQQqhFOGyU
— Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) May 16, 2020
State Department inspector general fired as Democrats decry ‘dangerous pattern of retaliation’ https://t.co/X15dNMsiEa
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) May 16, 2020
More: The IG was investigating possible misuse of a political appointee at the State Department to perform personal tasks for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his wife, a Democratic congressional aide tells me.
— Zachary Cohen (@ZcohenCNN) May 16, 2020
.@RepEliotEngel says that the State Department IG, who was fired tonight, had recently opened an investigation into Pompeo. A Democratic aide says he was looking at Pompeo’s misuse of a political appointee at State to perform personal tasks for himself and his wife. pic.twitter.com/RqtEbV8uxH
— Rebecca Kaplan (@RebeccaRKaplan) May 16, 2020
Pelosi: “This firing will set back the important work of the Office of the Inspector General to perform critical audits, investigations and inspections of U.S. embassies and programs around the world during this crisis,” telling him to cease “pattern of reprisal and retaliation”
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) May 16, 2020
It's worth remembering that while the House has been working to give more protection to IGs, Grassley recently declared that IGs are protected well enough. How well does it feel like that's working out for us right about now with another IG on the chopping block? Thanks Grassley. https://t.co/MWelu0w81Q
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) May 16, 2020
A word of caution to reporters covering the news of State Department's inspector general: The law requires Trump to give Congress 30 days notice BEFORE firing him. Unless Trump has violated that law, what Trump did was give 30-days notice of an intent to fire the IG. /1
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) May 16, 2020
another Inspector General has been fired by @realDonaldTrump … must be a Friday night in America … no watchdogs, no oversight, no check-and-balance, democracy is dying right in front of eyes. Only chance to save it is to make a change in November! https://t.co/OX3WsAJq2q
— Kurt Bardella (@kurtbardella) May 16, 2020
Another Inspector General fired by Trump in the dead of night.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) May 16, 2020
Another apparent act of retaliation and cover up.
To shield a loyal cabinet secretary from oversight and accountability.
And undermine the rule of law.
This surfeit of corruption must end. And soon. https://t.co/fpH28bcjWu
If you went to bed early 🙋🏼♂️ you missed another dismissal of another independent government watchdog. This time, it's State Department Inspector General Steve Linick…https://t.co/oUirsklEma
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) May 16, 2020
Another Friday night, another inspector general ousted by Trump as he seeks to purge the government of independent figures and enforce loyalty to himself. This time it's the State IG said to be investigating Pompeo. @shearm @maggieNYT https://t.co/WM923AqC6T
— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) May 16, 2020
State Department fires its inspector general tonite. Ouster came moments after House Democrats passed their Heroes Act, which would make it harder for administration to terminate IGs https://t.co/b8uR09ZN7J pic.twitter.com/ja41Z54xS7
— Scott Wong (@scottwongDC) May 16, 2020
Can't we use, like, super computers or something to divine some kind of pattern in the president's actions? https://t.co/hUrtZLr2b3
— Ron Charles (@RonCharles) May 16, 2020
Sad! 