Quote:Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held a combative press conference Wednesday that saw him fending off questions about his call to fire the State Department’s internal watchdog while slamming Democrats criticizing the move as political retaliation. Pompeo defended President Trump’s authority in firing State Department Inspector General Steve Linick late Friday, and doubled down in defending his recommendation that the watchdog be ousted, saying it should have been done “some time ago.” Trump’s firing of Linick drew swift rebuke from Democrats, who raised allegations of political retaliation and said Pompeo was working to obstruct investigations into the actions of both the secretary and Trump. Pompeo on Wednesday refused to answer questions about his reasons for pushing Linick out and took aim at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's top Democrat, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), whom he accused of leaking repeatedly to the press, by referencing Menendez's past legal troubles.Pompeo digs in during combative press briefing as scrutiny grows | TheHill
- Pompeo recommended the firing of Inspector General Steve Linick to Trump, who did just that.
- Pompeo denied being aware of Linick investigating him for an "emergency" $8B arms sale to Saudi Arabia and misusing a political appointee for personal errands.
- Yet the timing is curious, and Pompeo refused to sit down for an interview with Linick with regard to the arms to Saudi Arabia deal so it's highly improbable he didn't knew he was being investigated.
- And he refuses to give another reason for recommending Linick for termination.
- It's the fourth Inspector General that is fired this year, the Trump Government really doesn't like any kind of oversight and with the toothless Senate, they obviously think they can get away with anything.
- It is of course also a clear signal to the rest; "here is what happens if you try to investigate any supposed wrongdoing on our part.."