Secretary of State Mike Pompeo privately called for now-former State Department Inspector General Steve Linick’s ouster while the watchdog was in the middle of investigating Pompeo’s potential misuse of an office staffer, according to multiple reports.
Congressional aides told NBC News, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and CNN that Linick had been investigating Pompeo allegedly ordering a political appointee to run personal errands for himself and his wife, including dry cleaning pickups, making dinner reservations for the couple, and even walking their dog.
President Donald Trump suddenly fired Linick on Friday with no prior warning to Congress, saying only that the official “no longer” had his “fullest confidence” in a letter to lawmakers. The controversial ouster is part of a growing trend of Trump removing independent watchdogs over the past several months.
An unnamed White House official told NBC News that Pompeo had “recommended” Linick’s removal, to which Trump “agreed.”
Trump removing independent watchdogs
For trying to investigate the illicit walking of dogs.
This might actually lead to a good ending. Moscow Mitch wants Pompeo to run for the Senate seat in Kansas so Kris Kobach doesn’t get the nomination and lose again. Pompeo would probably win the nomination if he runs but now he has handed his opponent lots of good material for political ads that basically write themselves. It is still somewhat of a long shot for a Dem to win the Kansas Senate seat but the odds are better if Pompeo either stays out of it or is damaged by this story.
“It’s good to be queen. Lord knows I deserve it.”
— Susan Pompeo
The entire executive branch exists to run Trump’s personal errands. By that measure, picking up dry cleaning is small potatoes.
Who could possibly have expected this to come out after firing the IG? It’s like they all have political death wishes, or an urgent need to embarrass themselves in public.