Trump Announces Late-Night Firing of State Department Watchdog

President Donald Trump ousted another government watchdog, as he announced the termination of State Department Inspector General Steve Linick.

On Friday evening, Trump released a statement informing Congress and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) of his intent to fire Linick, noting the reason for the dismissal.

The president claims he has reason to be concerned about the Justice Department veteran’s ability to serve as an inspector general, arguing that he is no longer “confident” in him being able to do his job.

“It is vital that I have the fullest confidence in the appointees serving as Inspectors General. That is no longer the case with regard to this Inspector General,” Trump wrote in the letter.

Not long after Linick’s late-night dismissal, Pelosi and other Democratic lawmakers fired back, criticizing the president’s decision.

In the wake of Linick’s dismissal, Rep. Eliot Engel, (D-N.Y.) chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, denounced the president’s decision.

He confirmed Linick’s decision to move forward with an investigation into Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

“I have learned that the Office of the Inspector General had opened an investigation into Secretary Pompeo,” Engel tweeted on Saturday morning. Mr. Linick’s firing amid such a probe strongly suggests that this is an unlawful act of retaliation.”

Pelosi also fired back in response to Trump’s letter, echoing Engel’s speculation that she believes there may be another reason for Linick’s seemingly abrupt dismissal.

“The President’s late-night, weekend firing of the State Department Inspector General has accelerated his dangerous pattern of retaliation against the patriotic public servants charged with conducting oversight on behalf of the American people. Inspector General Linick was punished for honorably performing his duty to protect the Constitution and our national security, as required by the law and by his oath.”

As Pelosi noted, the $3 trillion stimulus bill passed in the House on Friday evening, which included funding for the State Department “to oversee and ensure the effective, wise spending of coronavirus response funds.”

“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,” Pelosi wrote.

“The President must cease his pattern of reprisal and retaliation against the public servants who are working to keep Americans safe, particularly during this time of global emergency.”

A State Department spokesperson confirmed Linick is being replaced by Ambassador Stephen Akard, who is an ally of Vice President Mike Pence. Their working relationship reportedly dates back to Pence’s days as governor of Indiana.

Linick was appointed to his role as Inspector General in 2013, previously serving under the Obama administration. His dismissal is effective in 30 days.