Another Inspector General Resigns Amid Questions About Pompeo

Source: nytimes



Stephen J. Akard became the State Department’s internal watchdog after his predecessor was fired by President Trump at the urging of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who has been under investigation.




Aug. 5, 2020 Updated 5:21 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON — The State Department’s acting watchdog has resigned from his post less than three months after replacing the previous inspector general, whom President Trump fired in May, the department said on Wednesday.

The departure of Stephen J. Akard came as Congress continued to investigate the firing of his predecessor, Steve A. Linick, who was pursuing inquiries into Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Three congressional committees issued subpoenas this week to top aides of Mr. Pompeo.

Mr. Linick had opened investigations into Mr. Pompeo’s potential misuse of department resources and his effort to push arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The department gave no explanation for the departure of Mr. Akard, an ally of Vice President Mike Pence. A department spokeswoman said Mr. Akard, who is from Indiana, would be “returning to the private sector,” and the deputy inspector general, Diana R. Shaw, would take over as acting inspector general............................

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/05/us/politics/inspector-general-pompeo-state.html?referringSource=articleShare

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