(Bloomberg) -- Donald Trump defended the move late Friday to fire the U.S. intelligence community’s inspector general, saying that in his opinion, Michael Atkinson did a “terrible job” when he raised alarm over a whistle-blower’s complaint that led to the president’s impeachment.
“Not a big Trump fan, I can tell you,” Trump told reporters on Saturday, referring to the Atkinson. Trump faulted Atkinson for taking what he called a false report to Congress.
Atkinson alerted lawmakers about the complaint regarding Trump’s demand that Ukraine investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter. He later testified in the House impeachment inquiry.
The dismissal marks Trump’s latest act of reprisal against government officials who played a role in his impeachment. It comes amid the coronavirus pandemic that’s infected more than 297,000 Americans and caused the economy to crater. Trump earlier ousted government officials who testified in the House impeachment inquiry.
Trump notified the leaders of the House and Senate Intelligence Committee of his decision to dismiss Atkinson in a letter late Friday. The president wrote that “it is vital that I have the fullest confidence in the appointees serving as inspectors general. That is no longer the case with regard to his inspector general.”
30 Days
Atkinson would be removed in 30 days according to the letter, addressed to Chairman Richard Burr, a North Carolina Republican; Vice Chairman Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat; House Chairman Adam Schiff and ranking member Devin Nunes, both of California.
Congressional Democrats expressed fury late Friday night, with Warner pointing out that the firing occurred as the coronavirus pandemic has paralyzed much of the country.
“In the midst of a national emergency, it is unconscionable that the president is once again attempting to undermine the integrity of the intelligence community by firing yet another intelligence official simply for doing his job,” Warner said in a statement. “We should all be deeply disturbed by ongoing attempts to politicize the nation’s intelligence agencies.”
Burr praised Atkinson’s “professionalism and responsiveness” to the Intelligence Committee, but didn’t directly address Trump’s decision to dismiss him.
‘Important Standards’
“It is my hope the next nominee for the role of ICIG will uphold the same important standards laid out by Congress when we created this role,” Burr said in a statement on Saturday. “In order to be effective, the IG must be allowed to conduct his or her work independent of internal or external pressure.”
Senator Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa who has defended the need for whistle-blower protections, said inspectors general play a crucial part in making sure the government is more efficient and responsible, and “any removal demands an explanation.“
“Congress has been crystal clear that written reasons must be given when IGs are removed for a lack of confidence,” Grassley said in a statement. “More details are needed from the administration.”
A top federal watchdog, Michael Horowitz, on Saturday praised Atkinson and promised “aggressive” oversight of government agencies.
Horowitz, inspector general at the Department of Justice, said in a statement that Atkinson was known for “integrity, professionalism and commitment to the rule of law and independent oversight.”
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