"This is no longer the case with regard to this inspector general," he said. A US official said Thomas Monheim, a career intelligence professional, would serve as acting inspector general for the time being. After contentious, partisan hearings, the Democratic-led House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump but the Republican-led Senate acquitted him of the charges in early February. Democrats heaped criticism on Trump for firing Atkinson, particularly as the country reels from the COVID-19 pandemic. "In the midst of a national emergency, it is unconscionable that the president is once again attempting to undermine the integrity of the intelligence community by firing yet another intelligence official simply for doing his job," said Democratic Senator Mark Warner, ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Source: bd News24 April 04, 2020 03:11 UTC