China News Service reported on May 18th that US President Trump recently fired US State Department Inspector General Steve Linick. A White House official said that Trump had fired Linnick at the suggestion of Secretary of State Pompeo. This caused the Democrats to question, and many members of Congress said they would launch an investigation against Trump and request the White House to provide records.
Data graph: US President Trump.
On the 15th local time, Trump fired the US State Department inspector general Li Nick. This person was appointed during the Obama administration. It has been reported that the Linik office has investigated Pompeo, including the use of public power to solve personal problems, and politically appointed officials to retaliate against professional officials.
A White House official said that after listening to Pompeo ’s suggestion, Trump agreed to dismiss Linik. The official, who asked for anonymity, said Pompeo “suggested this move” and Trump “agreed”.
Trump's dismissal triggered Democrats' doubts and accusations that Linnick's dismissal during the investigation was illegal retaliation.
Several Democratic MPs said on the 16th that they would investigate the matter and asked the White House to submit all relevant records by the 22nd. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Elliott Engel said in a statement: "This dismissal is a shameless act of the President trying to protect one of his most loyal supporters-the Secretary of State from accountability."
"I understand that the Office of the Inspector General has launched an investigation into Pompeo. Being fired during the investigation is undoubtedly illegal retaliation."
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on the 17th that Trump ’s election to announce the “annoying” removal decision at this time on Friday night is typical of the White House. She also said that even Republicans in Congress are concerned about Trump ’s repeated unexplained removal of the inspector general.
In early April, Trump fired the US National Intelligence Inspector General Michael Atkinson. He participated in the impeachment investigation of Trump last year. Subsequently, Trump fired Acting Inspector General Glenn Fein.
On December 18, 2019, Trump was impeached in the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives approved two terms of impeachment against Trump. One of them accused him of abusing his powers in a transaction with Ukraine, and the other accused him of obstructing an investigation by Congress. On February 5, 2020, the Senate held a final vote on the Trump impeachment case. Both impeachment clauses were not passed and Trump was not convicted.