Published 11:27 IST, May 19th 2020

Trump ousted watchdog who was investigating Saudi arms sale: Democrats

Congressional Democrats have said that the State Department official, who was fired last week byTrump, was investigating possible impropriety in Saudi arms sale

Reported by: Riya Baibhawi
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Congressional Democrats have said that State Department official, who was fired last week by US President Donald Trump, was investigating possible impropriety in an arms sales to Saudi Arabia. In 2019, US-me an arms sale worth $7 billion to middle eastern country.  democrats explained that State Department's inspector general Steve Linick was probing into how States department pushed for through massive deal despite congressional objections. 

Rep. Eliot L.Engel, chairman of House of Foreign committee repeatedly said that he was troubled that Linick was fired even before completion of Saudi investigation. Engel h called  investigation after Pompeo invoked a rarely used provision in federal law to bypass a congressional review of arms sales to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. Engel also called out for state department to hand over all records related to Linck’s firing. Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, demanding an explanation from Trump, said that it was “alarming” to see that firing may have been linked to Lincks investigation of arms deal.

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'On Pompeo's recommendation' 

Democrats h previously asserted that Linick might have been ousted due to his investigation on how Secretary of state Mike Pompeo may have asked Staff to run personal errands for him. Meanwhile, Trump has revealed that he h removed official on Pompeo's recommendation, however, he hn't given details. 

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However, he responded to  allegation on May 18. Speaking at White House roundtable, he said he would rar have government employees to wash dishes for Mike Pompeo and have him on phone with or world leers than doing dishes himself because his wife or son isn't re. "And w I have you telling me about dog walking, washing dishes and, you kw what, I'd rar have him on phone with some world leer than have him wash dishes because maybe his wife isn't re or his kids aren't re," Trump said event.

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Meanwhile, Pompeo speaking to American media said that he h recommended for removal of Linick as inspector General was “undermining” state Department’s mission. Pompeo h also said that it was definitely t in retaliation to his investigation. According to reports, Trump fired Linick, on May 15 and replaced him with an ally of Vice President Mike Pence stating that he did lost confidence in Inspector General. 

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11:27 IST, May 19th 2020