Investigation Launched into Firing of State Department Inspector General

The State Department Inspector General was removed by President Trump this weekend. Steve Linick was reportedly investigating Secretary Mike Pompeo over allegations he was forcing a staffer to perform personal errands, including walking his dog, picking up his dry cleaning, and making restaurant reservations for him and his wife. However, the State Department has declined to confirm or deny any such investigation. Linick has become the latest in a long list of government watch dogs to be dismissed by the president. In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the president claimed, “It’s 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.” Senator Mitt Romeny was vocal about his feelings saying the firings of multiple inspectors general without cause is “a threat to accountable democracy.”