Read on Twitter
"A Democratic congressional aide said Linick was looking into @SecPompeo “misuse of a political appointee at the Department to perform personal tasks for himself and Mrs. Pompeo.”
Democrats launch investigation into firing of @StateDept inspector general https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/05/16/state-department-inspector-general-fired-democrats-decry-dangerous-pattern-retaliation/
Democrats launch investigation into firing of @StateDept inspector general https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/05/16/state-department-inspector-general-fired-democrats-decry-dangerous-pattern-retaliation/
"A senior @StateDept official confirmed to CNN “that @SecPompeo made the recommendation that Linick be removed.”
"An unlawful act of retaliation”: inspector general fired by Trump was investigating Pompeo, congressman says https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-fires-ig-investigating-pompeo-house-foreign-affairs-chair-says-1000918/#utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=social_bar&utm_content=bottom_amp&utm_id=1000918
"An unlawful act of retaliation”: inspector general fired by Trump was investigating Pompeo, congressman says https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-fires-ig-investigating-pompeo-house-foreign-affairs-chair-says-1000918/#utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=social_bar&utm_content=bottom_amp&utm_id=1000918
"A dangerous pattern of retaliation against the patriotic public servants charged with conducting oversight on behalf of the American people.”
Trump ramps up purge of watchdogs: fourth firing of an inspector general during pandemic raises alarm https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-ramps-up-retaliatory-purge-with-firing-of-state-department-inspector-general/2020/05/16/8f8b55da-979a-11ea-82b4-c8db161ff6e5_story.html
Trump ramps up purge of watchdogs: fourth firing of an inspector general during pandemic raises alarm https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-ramps-up-retaliatory-purge-with-firing-of-state-department-inspector-general/2020/05/16/8f8b55da-979a-11ea-82b4-c8db161ff6e5_story.html
. @SenatorRomney: “The firings of multiple Inspectors General is unprecedented; doing so without good cause chills the independence essential to their purpose.
It is a threat to accountable democracy and a fissure in the constitutional balance of power." https://twitter.com/Otpor17/status/1261823029992198147
It is a threat to accountable democracy and a fissure in the constitutional balance of power." https://twitter.com/Otpor17/status/1261823029992198147
"Congressional officials are trying to determine if other investigations into Pompeo were underway."
Fired @StateDept IG was looking into whether @SecPompeo made a staffer walk his dog, pick up dry cleaning & make dinner reservations for him and his wife https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/fired-state-department-watchdog-was-looking-whether-pompeo-made-staffer-n1208981
Fired @StateDept IG was looking into whether @SecPompeo made a staffer walk his dog, pick up dry cleaning & make dinner reservations for him and his wife https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/fired-state-department-watchdog-was-looking-whether-pompeo-made-staffer-n1208981
House Democrats have discovered that the fired @StateDept IG had mostly completed an investigation into @SecPompeo's decision to skirt Congress with an emergency declaration to approve $8 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia last year @ThePlumLineGS https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/05/18/trumps-purge-just-got-much-more-corrupt-heres-whats-coming-next/
"The ousted @StateDept IG had almost finished an investigation into @SecPompeo's decision to fast-track an $8 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia ...
Pompeo had refused to sit for an interview w/the inspector general's office as part of that investigation." https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/18/politics/pompeo-inspector-general-firing-explanation/index.html
Pompeo had refused to sit for an interview w/the inspector general's office as part of that investigation." https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/18/politics/pompeo-inspector-general-firing-explanation/index.html
At the time of his firing, the @StateDept IG was in the final stages of an investigation into whether the Trump admin had unlawfully declared an “emergency” last year to allow the resumption of weapons sales to the Saudis & Emiratis for their war in Yemen https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/18/us/politics/pompeo-trump-linick-inspector-general-firing.html?smid=tw-share
May 2018: Four days after the FBI opened its counterintelligence investigation, Donald Trump Jr met with agents of the Saudi and Emirati crown princes offering financial and strategic assistance to his father's campaign https://twitter.com/Otpor17/status/997894766640721921?s=19
Just spitballing, but I suspect Steve Linick was onto a bigger scandal than staffers washing Pompeo's dishes.
"One of @SecPompeo's top aides, Brian Bulatao, said concern over IG Linick had grown because of a “pattern of unauthorized disclosures, or leaks" about investigations in their early stages.
Bulatao said officials had no evidence Linick was personally responsible for the leaks." https://twitter.com/kylegriffin1/status/1262759920258220032
Bulatao said officials had no evidence Linick was personally responsible for the leaks." https://twitter.com/kylegriffin1/status/1262759920258220032
"Historians could point to no precedent for a secretary of state's playing host to such frequent gatherings, paid for by @StateDept funds, involving political and business leaders."
@SecPompeo's elite taxpayer-funded dinners raise new concerns https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/pompeo-s-elite-taxpayer-funded-dinners-raise-new-concerns-n1210746
@SecPompeo's elite taxpayer-funded dinners raise new concerns https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/pompeo-s-elite-taxpayer-funded-dinners-raise-new-concerns-n1210746
" @StateDept officials involved in the dinners raised concerns that the events were using federal resources to cultivate a donor & supporter base for Pompeo's political ambitions — complete with extensive contact info that gets sent back to Susan Pompeo's personal email address." https://twitter.com/Otpor17/status/1262938307597656072
Former @StateDept Inspector General Steve Linick testifies to Congress that he told 3 members of @SecPompeo's innermost circle about his investigation into misuse of government resources by Pompeo and his wife #corruption https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/fired-watchdog-tells-congress-he-told-top-officials-about-probe-n1224376
"The revelation potentially undercuts @SecPompeo's claim to have been unaware that [Inspector General] Linick was looking into that issue when he asked #Trump to fire Linick." https://twitter.com/Otpor17/status/1268551526567510023
Former @StateDept watchdog was fired after trying to interview @SecPompeo about his role in an “emergency” arms sale to Saudi Arabia https://politi.co/2XVzb40
"The @SenateForeign committee began seeking Pompeo’s testimony for the routine hearing at least 4 months ago, but @StateDept has largely stiff-armed the request ...
@SecPompeo last appeared before the Foreign Relations Committee more than a year ago, in April 2019." https://twitter.com/woodruffbets/status/1269774891915653121
@SecPompeo last appeared before the Foreign Relations Committee more than a year ago, in April 2019." https://twitter.com/woodruffbets/status/1269774891915653121
Ex- @StateDept IG:
-confirms he was investigating @SecPompeo and his wife at the time of his firing
-5 investigations into wrongdoing at the agency
-a senior political appointee attempted to “bully” him into halting his probe into $7 billion Saudi arms sale https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/06/10/fired-inspector-general-investigating-pompeo-wife-taxpayer-resources-dinners-congress-interview-watchdog-trump-controversy/
-confirms he was investigating @SecPompeo and his wife at the time of his firing
-5 investigations into wrongdoing at the agency
-a senior political appointee attempted to “bully” him into halting his probe into $7 billion Saudi arms sale https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/06/10/fired-inspector-general-investigating-pompeo-wife-taxpayer-resources-dinners-congress-interview-watchdog-trump-controversy/
"Another IG investigation included a review of the International Women of Courage Award ...
The State Department revoked an IWC Award to a Finnish investigative journalist after officials flagged social media posts she made about Trump." https://twitter.com/Otpor17/status/1270793144171474950?s=20
The State Department revoked an IWC Award to a Finnish investigative journalist after officials flagged social media posts she made about Trump." https://twitter.com/Otpor17/status/1270793144171474950?s=20
" @SecPompeo trashed the fired inspector general and suggested he disagreed with the longstanding tradition that such watchdogs operate independently of the institutions they examine."
Pompeo confidant emerges as enforcer in fight over watchdog’s firing https://politi.co/2UvHZwI
Pompeo confidant emerges as enforcer in fight over watchdog’s firing https://politi.co/2UvHZwI
Swampy.
"Michael Williams' role in pushing to lift the ban follows a well-established pattern in the Trump administration, with the president handing over policymaking to allies of special interest groups with a stake in those policies." #corruption https://twitter.com/kenvogel/status/1282635061108645888?s=19
"Michael Williams' role in pushing to lift the ban follows a well-established pattern in the Trump administration, with the president handing over policymaking to allies of special interest groups with a stake in those policies." #corruption https://twitter.com/kenvogel/status/1282635061108645888?s=19
" @HHSGov watchdog finds Seema Verma @SeemaCMS mishandled millions of dollars in federal contracts that ultimately benefited friends & former Trump officials."
Inspector general: Medicare chief broke rules on her publicity contracts #corruption #TrumpSwamp https://politi.co/3fz7rKd
Inspector general: Medicare chief broke rules on her publicity contracts #corruption #TrumpSwamp https://politi.co/3fz7rKd
"They had additional evidence to back up their allegations .. concerned parties were “blocked” from reporting the activity to @StateDept Office of Legal Affairs."
Whistleblower complaint reveals ongoing inquiry over @SecPompeo's ‘questionable activities’ https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/white-house/article244328882.html
Whistleblower complaint reveals ongoing inquiry over @SecPompeo's ‘questionable activities’ https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/white-house/article244328882.html
" @StateDept redacted large portions of the 4-page document — including names, dates and specific details of the questionable conduct — that it shared with @weareoversight, a watchdog group that sued the department for whistleblower complaints regarding @SecPompeo's conduct." https://twitter.com/Otpor17/status/1284907552925458432
"A newly-public copy of the whistleblower’s complaint says that top @StateDept officials who were protecting @SecPompeo blocked the whistleblower from addressing the issue internally." https://nyti.ms/2ZGw5TF
"In January, during an official trip to Florida, Pompeo made a secret visit to a retirement enclave populated by prominent GOP donors [The Villages].
Like other such visits, he kept it off his public schedule & did not tell reporters covering his FL travels about the side trip." https://twitter.com/Otpor17/status/1285206317297213440
Like other such visits, he kept it off his public schedule & did not tell reporters covering his FL travels about the side trip." https://twitter.com/Otpor17/status/1285206317297213440
"The judge said that Ross violated federal recordkeeping laws by using his personal email account to conduct government business."
Court rules that Wilbur Ross’ personal email account is subject to #FOIA requests because he used it for government business https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/judge-wilber-rosss-personal-email-account-is-subject-to-foia-requests-because-he-used-it-for-government-business/
Court rules that Wilbur Ross’ personal email account is subject to #FOIA requests because he used it for government business https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/judge-wilber-rosss-personal-email-account-is-subject-to-foia-requests-because-he-used-it-for-government-business/
"After attending a February conference in DC, Gunter refused to return to Iceland, leaving a temporary deputy in charge for months …
Pompeo had to call him directly. The exchange was "polite" & "gentle," which may have been to avoid angering a potential future political donor." https://twitter.com/edokeefe/status/1287353789444435969
Pompeo had to call him directly. The exchange was "polite" & "gentle," which may have been to avoid angering a potential future political donor." https://twitter.com/edokeefe/status/1287353789444435969
"Lawmakers subpoenaed 4 @StateDept officials …& intend to question them about their actions and Pompeo's in pushing through the arms sales, as well as Linick’s inquiry into the issue."
Another inspector general resigns, raising questions about @SecPompeo https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/05/us/politics/inspector-general-pompeo-state.html?smid=tw-share
Another inspector general resigns, raising questions about @SecPompeo https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/05/us/politics/inspector-general-pompeo-state.html?smid=tw-share
"The [inspector general's] office was also investigating Robert Wood Johnson IV, the United States ambassador to Britain @USAmbUK and a close ally of Trump, over accusations that he had made racist and sexist remarks to embassy staff." https://twitter.com/Otpor17/status/1291185928279658496
“It’s a clear example of trying to use US government resources … to line the president's pocket”: Lewis Lukens tells @Maddow about Ambassador Woody Johnson lobbying UK officials on Trump's behalf to move the British Open to Trump Turnberry #corruption https://twitter.com/MaddowBlog/status/1291198935139319809?s=19
“That is a red flag, that it’s classified": Lukens also discussed the State Department inspector general's withholding of the report on the Woody Johnson-Trump Turnberry-British Open affair #maddow https://twitter.com/MaddowBlog/status/1291199574728744960?s=19
Utter contempt for oversight and the rule of law.
@SecPompeo is denying congressional subpoenas for 4 key witnesses in a months-long investigation into his role in the firing of @StateDept Inspector General Steven Linick https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/pompeo-denies-congressional-subpoenas-fired-ig-investigation-n1236211
@SecPompeo is denying congressional subpoenas for 4 key witnesses in a months-long investigation into his role in the firing of @StateDept Inspector General Steven Linick https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/pompeo-denies-congressional-subpoenas-fired-ig-investigation-n1236211
. @HouseForeign Affairs Committee Chair calls on @USAmbUK Woody Johnson to testify in light of recent reports that he misused his diplomatic post to advance Trump's personal and financial interests & that he made racist and sexist comments to embassy staff https://foreignaffairs.house.gov/2020/8/house-foreign-affairs-committee-calls-on-u-s-ambassador-woody-johnson-to-testify
