The top Democrats on the House and Senate Foreign Relations Committees questioned the timing and motivation of what they called an "unprecedented removal." The two Democrats said it was their understanding that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo personally recommended Linick's firing because the inspector general "had opened an investigation into wrongdoing by Secretary Pompeo himself." Trump also notified Congress that he was firing the inspector general of the US intelligence community, Michael Atkinson, who was involved in triggering the impeachment investigation. Representatives for Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Jim Risch did not respond to a request for comment. Trump's letter provided 30-days' notice as required and said he no longer had confidence in Linick's ability to serve as inspector general, but gave no specific reasons.

Source: bd News24 May 16, 2020 22:18 UTC