Trump fired watchdog who was probing Saudi arms sales - lawmakers

By Patricia Zengerle

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. State Department Inspector General Steve Linick departs after briefing House and Senate Intelligence committees at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S. October 2, 2019. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump may have fired State Department Inspector General Steve Linick because he was investigating U.S. military sales to Saudi Arabia, Democratic lawmakers said on Monday, although Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he sought Linick's removal because his work was undermining the department.

 

Trump announced the planned removal of Linick in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi late on Friday. He was the fourth government inspector general that the Republican president has ousted in recent weeks.

 

Pompeo told the Washington Post he had asked Trump to fire Linick, while declining to describe specific concerns. Pompeo said no reason had to be given, contradicting Congress' interpretation of the inspector general law.

 

“I went to the president and made clear to him that Inspector General Linick wasn’t performing a function in a way that we had tried to get him to, that was additive for the State Department," Pompeo said.

 

Another State official told the Post concern over Linick had grown because of leaks about investigations, although there was no evidence Linick was responsible.

 

Representative Eliot Engel, chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, and Senator Bob Menendez, ranking member on Senate Foreign Relations, said Linick had been investigating Trump's declaration of a national emergency last year to clear the way for $8 billion in military sales, mostly to Saudi Arabia.

 

Engel and Menendez announced on Saturday they were launching an investigation of Linick's firing.

 

"I have learned that there may be another reason for Mr. Linick’s firing. His office was investigating - at my request - Trump’s phony declaration of an emergency so he could send weapons to Saudi Arabia," Engel said in a statement.

 

Engel called on the administration to comply with the probe and turn over records by Friday.

 

Engel's statement was first reported by the Washington Post.

 

Congressional aides had said Linick was investigating whether Pompeo misused a taxpayer-funded political appointee to perform personal tasks for himself and his wife.

 

Trump said Linick had been appointed by former Democratic President Barack Obama, and that he knew nothing about him, but had the right to terminate him. "I just go rid of him," he said.

 

REPUBLICANS ALSO HAVE QUESTIONS

Trump infuriated many members of Congress last May, including some Republicans, by declaring a national emergency related to tensions with Iran to sidestep congressional review and push ahead with $8 billion in military sales, mostly to Saudi Arabia.

 

The House and Senate passed resolutions to block the sales. But Trump, a staunch promoter of both arms sales and ties to Saudi Arabia, vetoed them. The Republican-led Senate upheld his veto.

 

Menendez said he believed Linick was close to coming to a conclusion in his investigation of the arms sales. He also introduced legislation to protect inspectors general.

 

Some Republicans also expressed concern.

 

Senator Chuck Grassley wrote to Trump and asked for a detailed explanation of Linick's removal by June 1.

 

"Congress’s intent is clear that an expression of lost confidence, without further explanation, is not sufficient to fulfill the requirements of the IG Reform Act," Grassley said.

 

Representative Michael McCaul, top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs committee, was looking into the matter, a spokeswoman said.

 

Trump replaced Linick with Stephen Akard, an official in charge of the Office of Foreign Missions considered a close ally of Vice President Mike Pence.

 

Explaining Linick's firing to Pelosi, Trump said only that he no longer had "fullest confidence" in Linick.

 

Pelosi wrote to Trump and asked him to provide "detailed and substantial justification" for Linick's removal within 30 days.

 

(Additional reporting by Jonathan Landay and Humeyra Pamuk; Editing by Mary Milliken and Tom Brown)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-05-19

 

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2 minutes ago, webfact said:

Trump fired watchdog who was probing Saudi arms sales - lawmakers

 

Translation: Democrats. 

 

1 hour ago, Mama Noodle said:

 

Translation: Democrats. 

 

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Some Republicans also expressed concern.

 

1 hour ago, Mama Noodle said:

 

Translation: Democrats. 

 

Doesn't matter. He was probing arms sales, sales that required declaration of a national emergency. So yes, this should be looked in from anyone's perspective.

31 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Doesn't matter. He was probing arms sales, sales that required declaration of a national emergency. So yes, this should be looked in from anyone's perspective.

What about taxpayers' money for Pompeo's errands and dog grooming? I wonder if the dog also 'lies, steals, and cheats.'

But all joking aside, interesting as during this time the US also removed some defenses from S.A. due to S.A. taking the US 'friendship/partnership' for granted.

Edited May 19, 20206 yr by Solinvictus

To abscond him from any fallout, Trump said he didn't know or even have not seen the IG and thereby signalling that he is throwing Pompeo under the bus. What a great boss. 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he sought Linick's removal because his work was undermining the department.

So officials will be sacked if the trump administration feels they are attempting to investigate possible wrong doing?

 

Viva la swamp. 

Edited May 19, 20206 yr by Bluespunk

For those unaware of the function of an IG, what Linick was doing is 100% legitimate. It is called 'doing his job'. When someone informs an IG of possible wrongdoing, the IG is obligated to look into it. The IG can either decide there is no 'there' there, or he can pursue it. IG's are required to have an intimate understanding of Federal Law and employee guidelines.

 

In this instance, IG Linick was looking into Pompeo and his wife (2nd wife) using another 45 political appointee and colleague of Pompeo, Brian Bulatao, to perform personal errands for Pompeo and Pompeo's wife.

 

The second matter is the arms sales to Saudi Arabia, which even the Republican Senate had halted because of Saudi support for one side in the Yemen War.  Both 45 and Pompeo have tried to pressure anything that might cause an issue for Saudi in general and for MbS in particular. Pompeo, while serving as SecState, even told DCI Gina Haspel to change the agency's finding on MbS involvement in ordering the slaughter of Jamal Khashoggi. The agency, using both HUMINT and SIGINT intel, had concluded that MbS personally ordered the Khashoggi slaughter. DCI Haspel literally told Pompeo to "F off" and never make any such request to alter agency analysis ever again, much to the applause of the men and women of CIA.

 

 

The plot thickens.... and no doubt, the motivations behind Linick's removal are most likely scummy and improper, given that Trump and Pompeo are involved.

 

1 minute ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

The plot thickens.... and no doubt, the motivations behind Linick's removal are most likely scummy and improper, given that Trump and Pompeo are involved.

 

These grossly corrupt actions of the Trump Administration has been normalized to the point where no one (well, no one in the GOP) will even blink an eye.  From Comey's firing, to violations of the emolument clause, to the Ukraine mess, to Trump believing Putin over his own Intel people, to Trump's treatment of Sessions, these IG firings (the list really is much longer than this).  America cannot have 4 more years of Trump.  There won't be a Constitution left.    

17 minutes ago, Walker88 said:

The second matter is the arms sales to Saudi Arabia, which even the Republican Senate had halted because of Saudi support for one side in the Yemen War.  Both 45 and Pompeo have tried to pressure anything that might cause an issue for Saudi in general and for MbS in particular. Pompeo, while serving as SecState, even told DCI Gina Haspel to change the agency's finding on MbS involvement in ordering the slaughter of Jamal Khashoggi. The agency, using both HUMINT and SIGINT intel, had concluded that MbS personally ordered the Khashoggi slaughter. DCI Haspel literally told Pompeo to "F off" and never make any such request to alter agency analysis ever again, much to the applause of the men and women of CIA.

An aspect of the investigation of Pompeo is that he bypassed Congress by drawing upon an authority under Section 36 of the Arms Export Control Act that allows the administration to undertake arms sales in an emergency. He has lots to explain on what was the emergency. From the manner Trump distancing himself from this case, he is in deep quagmire that will be hard to extradite. 

12 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

An aspect of the investigation of Pompeo is that he bypassed Congress by drawing upon an authority under Section 36 of the Arms Export Control Act that allows the administration to undertake arms sales in an emergency. He has lots to explain on what was the emergency. From the manner Trump distancing himself from this case, he is in deep quagmire that will be hard to extradite. 

It's clear Pompeo was doing Trump's bidding and couldn't justify this action to the IG.  So he went to Trump to basically "get the dogs off him."  Trump was more than happy to oblige as in his mind, Linick was Obama's guy.  The obvious question:  Why would Trump consistently bend over backwards for MBS?  It seems Saudi Arabia's interest is more important to Trump than America's interest.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

I went to the president and made clear to him that Inspector General Linick wasn’t performing a function in a way that we had tried to get him to,

There are no doubts about that, other then which way they wanted him to get to

28 minutes ago, Berkshire said:

It's clear Pompeo was doing Trump's bidding and couldn't justify this action to the IG.  So he went to Trump to basically "get the dogs off him."  Trump was more than happy to oblige as in his mind, Linick was Obama's guy.  The obvious question:  Why would Trump consistently bend over backwards for MBS?  It seems Saudi Arabia's interest is more important to Trump than America's interest.

Saudi Arabia was his first official visit after his took office. Not close allies like U.K. or Canada but SA. Raised lots of eye brows. Is it because he need SA to stay steadfast on the petrodollar or that he received money or has business links. Probably all of the above and soon we will know when the court ruled that he must revealed his tax return. 

https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-saudi-arabia-financial-interests-ties-hotel-bookings-sales-2018-10

3 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

To abscond him from any fallout, Trump said he didn't know or even have not seen the IG and thereby signalling that he is throwing Pompeo under the bus. What a great boss. 

From what I have seen of Mr Pompeo, it must have been quite a "high wheel base" bus!

3 hours ago, Bluespunk said:

So officials will be sacked if the trump administration feels they are attempting to investigate possible wrong doing?

 

Viva la swamp. 

 

Without knowing all the actual details you can't possibly answer that question. Even if you meant it rhetorically. 

 

Was this Obama appointee doing a good thorough job; or was he working a political agenda to undermine?

 

One point, how many investigations, and with what conclusions did this IG carry out when Obama was POTUS?

4 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Without knowing all the actual details you can't possibly answer that question. Even if you meant it rhetorically. 

 

Was this Obama appointee doing a good thorough job; or was he working a political agenda to undermine?

 

One point, how many investigations, and with what conclusions did this IG carry out when Obama was POTUS?

My point was directed at the trump white houses reaction to any form of oversight. 

Not doing his job the way  we wanted him to????

Careless wording if quoted  verbatim !

 

Repairing Democracy post-Trump is going to be an epic undertaking.

 

Maybe Jared Kushner could help with that...

Edited May 19, 20206 yr by klauskunkel

Just now, klauskunkel said:

Repairing Democracy post-Trump is going to be en epic undertaking.

Just as epic repairing US tattered and battered international image and foreign relationship. 

The American people have to get rid of this guy, he is a disgrace to America, I mean Trump 

not the Investigator.

I listened to him trying to have an interview during the golf challenge ,,,,,he cannot enen speak properly

1 hour ago, Eric Loh said:

1 hour ago, klauskunkel said:

Repairing Democracy post-Trump is going to be en epic undertaking.

Just as epic repairing US tattered and battered international image and foreign relationship.

Not to mention restoring the dignity, prestige, and credibility of the Presidency. 

10 hours ago, Mama Noodle said:

 

Translation: Democrats. 

 

possibly. but if you follow that argument to ts logical conclusion then if democrats equal lawmakers republicans equal lawbreakers

9 hours ago, Berkshire said:

These grossly corrupt actions of the Trump Administration has been normalized to the point where no one (well, no one in the GOP) will even blink an eye.  From Comey's firing, to violations of the emolument clause, to the Ukraine mess, to Trump believing Putin over his own Intel people, to Trump's treatment of Sessions, these IG firings (the list really is much longer than this).  America cannot have 4 more years of Trump.  There won't be a Constitution left.    

Go tell Flynn about constitutional rights and how his were trashed by corrupt FBI at the behest of Obama/Biden!

King Trump of the Divided States of America

18 minutes ago, i84teen said:

Go tell Flynn about constitutional rights and how his were trashed by corrupt FBI at the behest of Obama/Biden!

 

I don't think Americans have any constitutional right to lie to the FBI during an investigation.

 

I do think Americans who twice enter guilty pleas in court and then turn around and try to claim they're innocent face the prospect of perjury charges.

 

I don't think much of the right-wing ruckus over Flynn's prosecution has anything materially to do with what he's actually accused of doing, and what he twice pleaded guilty to doing.

 

Not to mention, getting dismissed for lying/misleading by the same corrupt White House that's now trying to resurrect this guy and falsely paint him as some kind of victim.

 

16 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

I don't think Americans have any constitutional right to lie to the FBI during an investigation.

 

I do think Americans who twice enter guilty pleas in court and then turn around and try to claim they're innocent face the prospect of perjury charges.

 

I don't think much of the right-wing ruckus over Flynn's prosecution has anything materially to do with what he's actually accused of doing, and what he twice pleaded guilty to doing.

 

Not to mention, getting dismissed for lying/misleading by the same corrupt White House that's now trying to resurrect this guy and falsely paint him as some kind of victim.

 

The quickest route to walk from any criminal prosecution (including the corrupt political ambush type against Flynn) is to eff with the accused, or anyone's constitutional rights. If not dismissed in Sullivans court, appellate would have trashed it.

Despite what happened or didn't happen with Flynns fibbing, his constitutional rights were not protected and now you know something more. Can you understand?

Day1288

Down the track a lot, if not pretty much everything that has transpired in and out of the White House and in US politics will be seen (even closed files) will be seen by The People (unless sneaky swines change the laws on such things). Then we will know more of what is happening in these troubling and contentious times. 

14 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

To abscond him from any fallout, Trump said he didn't know or even have not seen the IG and thereby signalling that he is throwing Pompeo under the bus. What a great boss. 

Yeah or he knows he won't have any problems and it looks good for appearances. I mean I don't think that is too far out given the history of politics not mention 'acting.' Just ask Pelosi she is great at acting. So much, I think people would be shocked to realize the extent of it. Once you do, you won't view government the same.

1 hour ago, Tropposurfer said:

Down the track a lot, if not pretty much everything that has transpired in and out of the White House and in US politics will be seen (even closed files) will be seen by The People (unless sneaky swines change the laws on such things). Then we will know more of what is happening in these troubling and contentious times. 

I do like your post however, there actually is a good amount out there. I noticed how on the show 'Rising' they mentioned how another 'dynamic' to this is that it's at the same time AG. Barr wants APPLE to provide details on it's encryption as there was a S.A. national who killed people, last year I think it was.

Edited May 19, 20206 yr by Solinvictus