Trump today said he'd “never even heard of” State Department IG Steve Linick, but fired him after Mike Pompeo “asked me to terminate him” 'I don't know him. But they asked me to terminate him. I have the absolute right as president to terminate,” he said
President Donald Trump on Monday told reporters in the White House that he had “never even heard of” State Department Inspector General Steve Linick, but fired him anyway after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo “asked me to terminate him.”
The watchdog's dismissal has ignited a political firestorm amid accusations from Democrats that Pompeo was seeking to quash investigations into his use of staff for personal errands, as well as arms sales to Saudi Arabia that bucked the will of Congress.“I was asked by the State Department, by Mike," the president said, noting that Linick was appointed by his predecessor, Barack Obama.
"I don't know him. Never heard of him. But they asked me to terminate him. I have the absolute right as president to terminate,” Trump said after his meeting with restaurant executives. “But you would have to ask Mike Pompeo. But they did ask me to do it, and I did it."and said he “no longer” had the “fullest confidence” in him and promised to send the Senate a new nominee “who meets the appropriate qualifications.
When asked if Pompeo had improperly recommended Linick's firing to avoid an investigation, the president leapt to the secretary’s defense. “He's a very brilliant guy. And now, I have you telling me about dog walking, washing dishes. And you know what? I would rather have him on the phone with some world leader than have him wash dishes, because maybe his wife isn't there or his kids aren't there, you know. What are you telling me? It's terrible. It's so stupid. You know how stupid that sounds to the world? Unbelievable,” Trump said.
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