Source: Overseas Network
Pompeo (Source: getty)
U.S. State Department Inspector Steve Linick was suddenly dismissed by Trump on the evening of the 15th. The latest reports reveal that the inspector general was investigating a charge against Secretary of State Pompeo before he was dismissed. Democrats have criticized Trump's dismissal of Linick as a "direct retaliation" for his investigation of Pompeo.
According to NBC, two congressional officials recently revealed that Pompeo had been reported for abusing his power by privately asking staff to walk his dog, wash his clothes and help him and his wife book restaurants. Linick was investigating the matter before he was fired. The official added that they are learning if There are other investigations into Pompeo by Linick.
The staff member who was asked to do private work was supposed to be a political appointment, and this is not the first time Pompeo has been exposed to similar situations. CNN reported last July that Pompeo had been reported for his diplomatic security staff being asked to help him with his personal affairs.
The incident quickly drew widespread criticism from American netizens. Some netizens ridiculed Pompeo, "This is his smallest crime." ”
Some netizens expressed their hatred for such abuses of power, "These people really feel that they are aristocrats, and we are all farmers." ”
In addition, some netizens mentioned, "His (Pompeo's) wife has an office of her own and will use the staff as her servant." There are reports that the couple is not very respectful of the employees and lose their temper at every turn. It is understood that Pompeo's wife is not a public official, but often travels with Pompeo on government planes to visit other countries.
NBC also mentioned in the report that after learning of Linick's sudden dismissal, the US House of Representatives first obtained the details of the relevant investigation later last week, and the relevant inspectors said that they would continue to investigate the matter. They believe the dismissal is a "direct retaliation" by the Trump administration for Linik's investigation into Pompeo.
Two Democrats, Elliott Engel, chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Relations Committee, and Bob Menendez, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said on Saturday (16th) that they would investigate the reasons for Linick's dismissal. At the same time, they asked the Trump administration to turn in records and other details related to the dismissal by the 22nd.
Lynick (AP)
Linick was appointed Inspector General of the State Department in 2013 by former U.S. President Barack Obama. So far this year, Trump has fired a number of inspectors, including Kristy Grimm, chief deputy inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services in May, Michael Atkinson, inspector general of the National Intelligence System, and Glenn Farn, acting inspector general of the Department of Defense, mostly for "losing confidence" in them.
Stephen Akkad, director of the U.S. Foreign Service Office, will reportedly take over as inspector general of the State Department, a close friend of Vice President Mike Pence. Trump concluded that Trump has repeatedly expressed hostility to independent censorship within the administration, usually against officials left behind by the Obama administration, who Trump believes are "against themselves."