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Pelosi Sends Letter to President Trump on the Firing of State Department Inspector General

May 18, 2020

Contact: Speaker's Press Office,
202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi sent the following letter today to President Trump regarding the firing of State Department Inspector General Steve Linick. Speaker Pelosi asked for more information on the grounds of the Inspector General's removal, especially in light of revelations that Mr. Linick's firing may have been linked to an investigation into the approval of an $8 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia opposed by the Congress.
In the letter, the Speaker wrote "This removal is part of a pattern of undermining the integrity of the Inspectors General and therefore our government. It is alarming to see news reports that your action may have been in response to Inspector General Linick nearing completion of an investigation into the approval of billions of dollars in arms sales to Saudi Arabia."
"Therefore, I am asking that you provide detailed and substantial justification for the removal of Inspector General Linick before the end of the 30 day period," Speaker Pelosi continued.
Below is the text of the letter to the President:
* * *
May 18, 2020
The Honorable Donald J. Trump
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
Friday night, I received your letter advising the Congress that you are removing the Inspector General of the Department of State from office in 30 days.
Inspectors General are a critical part of our democracy, playing an essential role in preventing waste, fraud and abuse and ensuring transparency of government actions.
Protecting the transparency and accountability in government that is embodied by the vital work of Inspectors General requires that Congress know whether there is clear and substantial cause for an Inspector General's removal.
You state that it is vital that you "have the fullest confidence in the appointees serving as Inspectors General." You further state that "that is no longer the case in regard to this Inspector General."
You are required to notify Congress of your removal of an Inspector General. It is essential that you also inform Congress of the cause for the removal and your lack of confidence.
This removal is part of a pattern of undermining the integrity of the Inspectors General and therefore our government. It is alarming to see news reports that your action may have been in response to Inspector General Linick nearing completion of an investigation into the approval of billions of dollars in arms sales to Saudi Arabia.
Therefore, I am asking that you provide detailed and substantial justification for the removal of Inspector General Linick before the end of the 30 day period.
Thank you for your attention to these concerns.
Sincerely,
NANCY PELOSI
Speaker of the House
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