President Donald Trump has fired the Intelligence Community Inspector General, Michael Atkinson, who notified Congress of the Ukraine whistleblower complaint that led directly to his impeachment. Starting in September Trump had threatened to fire Atkinson for being what the President saw as “disloyal.”
Atkinson told called the whistleblower complaint “credible” and an “urgent concern,” leading Congress to act.
Politico reports Trump has sent a letter notifying the Senate Intelligence Committee he will fire Atkinson and remove him from his duties, as Politico reports, in 30 days.
“This is to advise that I am exercising my power as President to remove from office the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community, effective 30 days from today,” Trump’s letter reads.
“As is the case with regard to other positions where I, as president, have the power of appointment, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, it is vital that I have the fullest confidence in the appointees serving as Inspectors General,” the President claimed. “That is no longer the case with regard to this Inspector General.”
Atkinson worked for the DOJ for 15 years before Trump appointed him IG in 2017.
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