WH Claims Trump Fired IG At Mike Pompeo’s Request

CNBC reports:

President Donald Trump fired the State Department’s inspector general on the recommendation of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a White House official said Saturday.

Trump fired State Department Inspector General Steve Linick Friday night, notifying Congress of the decision in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Trump, who has targeted several government agency watchdogs in the past several weeks, told Congress he no longer had full confidence in Linick, but did not provide an explanation as to why.

“Secretary Pompeo recommended the move, and President Trump agreed,” a White House official said. Democratic lawmakers said the inspector general was investigating potential misconduct by Pompeo.

IG opens investigation into Pompeo. Pompeo tells Trump to fire IG. Trump fires IG.
Wow:https://t.co/MgSvBsDlHh

— Michael Barbaro (@mikiebarb) May 17, 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.”

This is relevant because officials say Linick had begun an investigation into possible misconduct by Pompeo.

— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) May 16, 2020