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 Linick’s 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 president’s move and called into question its legality and Trump’s motives.

“I have learned that the Office of the Inspector General had opened an investigation into Secretary Pompeo. Mr. Linick’s 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/