Friend --

Abuse of power in the Trump Administration does not stop, not even during a pandemic in which over 90,000 Americans have died and millions have been infected.

On Fri‌day night, President Trump informed Congress that he was firing the State Department's inspector general at Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's behest.

The cause for termination? It appears he was removed for doing his job and launching an investigation into Pompeo's alleged improper use of taxpayer money for non-official business (as well as potentially illegal arms sales to foreign countries) -- which diplomats, whistleblowers, and members of Congress have been trying to sound the alarm on for months.

President Trump has already removed other inspectors general -- who are independent, nonpartisan investigators responsible for monitoring the executive branch for waste, fraud, and abuse -- from the intelligence community and Health and Human Services and Defense Departments.

Time and time again, President Trump has shown that he's willing to fire anyone in his administration who dares to point out abuses and corruption -- even when it's their job.

You can see why he admires so many dictators.

This is yet another example of how the lack of oversight within the Trump administration presents a clear threat to our democracy.

Please add your name here to speak out against this baseless firing. Watchdogs like the inspector general protect our democracy, and we must protect them.

Thank you for adding your name.

Sincerely,

Patrick Leahy
U.S. Senator