John -
State Department Inspector General Steve Linick was nearly done with several investigations into Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s alleged misconduct and misuse of resources.
Then President Trump fired Linick—at Pompeo’s request.
Linick’s firing was a clear assault on independent oversight, the latest of many such assaults by this administration, and it may have crossed the line into criminal obstruction by Pompeo. That’s why CREW filed a criminal complaint with the FBI about Pompeo’s conduct. Read more here—and be sure to share by forwarding this email or sharing on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Linick was investigating Pompeo’s alleged fast-tracking of $8 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates without getting Congressional approval, as well as claims that Pompeo had a staffer run his personal errands, like picking up dry cleaning and walking his dog. Pompeo claimed that he was unaware of Linick’s investigations, but Linick testified to Congress that he told top Pompeo aides about his ongoing investigations, and Pompeo even admitted that he answered questions for one of the probes. Linick also apparently sought to personally meet with Pompeo, and was fired shortly thereafter.
This looks pretty bad.
The president and his Cabinet officials cannot be allowed to get away with attacking watchdogs with no consequences. President Trump may have been given a free pass on his obstructive conduct by many in Congress, but we cannot allow Cabinet members to follow Trump’s lead. The FBI should investigate Pompeo for criminal obstruction of justice. Here at CREW, we’ll keep up the fight for accountability for as long as it takes.
Thank you,
Noah Bookbinder
Executive Director, CREW
