House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said in a letter on Tuesday that he is seeking to investigate the firing of Intel Inspector General Michael Atkinson, who turned over the whistleblower complaint to Congress that essentially kicked off Donald Trump’s impeachment.
Schiff sent the letter to the acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell, “I am writing to express my concern that you are pursuing organizational and personnel changes at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence without consulting and seeking authorization from Congress.”
The House Intel Chairman drew attention to the alleged political motives behind Atkinson’s firing, “The president confirmed publicly that he had fired Mr. Atkinson because Mr. Atkinson had sought to transmit to congressional intelligence committees a credible whistleblower complaint of urgent concern.”
In a letter today today to acting DNI Richard Grenell, Schiff says he is investigating whether Intelligence IG Atkinson's firing "was intended to curb any ongoing investigations or reviews" by the IG's office and asks Grenell if he has tried to obstruct investigations. pic.twitter.com/FhHdRyX9cg
— Dan Friedman (@dfriedman33) April 7, 2020
He added that “Mr. Atkinson acted with the highest integrity and remarkable professionalism even as he was falsely attacked by the president and his supporters in Congress for staying true to his oath.”
He continued:
“The Committee is reviewing the circumstances of Mr. Atkinson’s dismissal including whether his termination was intended to curb any ongoing investigations or reviews being undertaken by his office.”
Grenell hit back at Schiff on Tuesday afternoon, “His letter was sent to the press before it was sent to me. These press leaks politicizing the intelligence community must stop.”
His letter was sent to the press before it was sent to me. These press leaks politicizing the intelligence community must stop. https://t.co/hdWIzGWvZr
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) April 7, 2020
Atkinson has said that he believes that the decision to remove him was made because of his role in impeachment, “It is hard not to think that the President’s loss of confidence in me derives from my having faithfully discharged my legal obligations as an independent and impartial Inspector General, and from my commitment to continue to do so.”
President Trump has defended the decision to remove Atkinson, “He took a fake report, and he brought it to Congress.”
