The White House is still refusing to give Congress a reason for firing Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson, as required by law, missing a deadline set by a bipartisan group of senators.
A group of eight senators, including Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley, wrote President Trump a letter on April 8 demanding he explain in detail his decision to fire Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson to reassure Congress it was “not for reasons unrelated to [his] performance.” Otherwise, the decision could threaten the integrity of what are supposed to be independent overseers of government agencies, they wrote.
The bipartisan letter, signed by Sens. Susan Collins, Mitt Romney, Gary Peters, Ron Wyden, Mark Warner, Dianne Feinstein and John Tester, notes that while the inspectors general are political appointees, “Congress set clear, statutory notice requirements for their potential removal.” Removal for reasons other than job performance would not satisfy congressional requirements.
Dysfunction within the inspector general system is not a new issue, and predates President Trump. Atkinson himself inherited an office besieged with internal chaos and turf battles, as well as multiple outstanding whistleblower protection cases. A tragic suicide within the Pentagon inspector general’s office left a dark mark on its reputation handling whistleblower complaints.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
White House wants to restart the economy, but still doesn’t have a solid planInternal competition, a lack of communication and a shortage of coronavirus testing are complicating President Donald Trump’s May 1 goal.
Read more »
Sanders endorses Biden for president: 'We need you in the White House'Sanders' surprise announcement came five days after he ended his own bid for the White House.
Read more »
In lieu of White House Easter Egg Roll, Melania Trump shares video reading Easter-themed bookAfter Melania Trump announced the White House Easter Egg Roll would be canceled over coronavirus, the first lady read an Easter book instead.
Read more »
Trump Isn’t Firing Fauci Over Coronavirus Comments, White House SaysThe White House dismissed speculation that the health expert’s position was at risk after the president retweeted a California Republican’s call to fire him over remarks that lives could have been saved if the government had acted faster.
Read more »
Trump 'Is Not Firing Dr. Fauci,' White House Insists — After the President Shared #FireFauci TweetThe original tweet used the hashtag FireFauci, which Trump quote-tweeted to defend his leadership amid the coronavirus pandemic
Read more »
White House Considers Cuts to Migrant Farm Worker Minimum Wages, Despite Labor ShortagesA new plan purportedly being discussed to save farms money is drawing some scrutiny.
Read more »