President Trump moved late Friday to remove the State Department’s inspector general Steve Linick.
Why it matters: Linick, a Justice Department veteran appointed by former President Obama played a small part in the House impeachment proceedings against President Trump. He is among a collection of watchdogs to be fired in recent months.
- The removal was first reported by Politico.
What he’s saying: Trump sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Friday night saying he “no longer” has the “fullest confidence in the State Department inspector general.
The other side: Pelosi responded to Trump’s Friday evening move, saying, “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.
- “It is concerning that the President has taken this action as the House passes the Heroes Act, which contains critical funding for the State Department IG to oversee and ensure the effective, wise spending of coronavirus response funds.
- “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.”