McConnell: Trump ‘certainly within his authority’ to fire IGs

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday emphasized that President Trump has the power to fire inspectors general amid scrutiny over his decision to oust the State Department watchdog.

“He’s certainly within his authority, he gets to hire and fire, under the Constitution, all people under the Executive Branch,” McConnell said when asked about Trump’s decision to fire State Department Inspector General Steve Linick and other recent watchdogs.

McConnell added that it was a “good question” to address to the administration.

Trump announced on Friday night that he was firing Linick, the fourth inspector general the president has removed in the past few months. Asked about the decision on Monday, Trump told reporters that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo asked for the move.

“I don’t know him. But they asked me to terminate him. I have the absolute right as president to terminate,” Trump told reporters.

The decision has sparked outrage from Democrats, several of whom have called for new legislation that would help insulate inspectors general from being fired for political reasons.

Democrats overseeing the House and Senate Foreign Relations committees have launched a probe into Linick’s ouster, saying it came amid a watchdog investigation into Pompeo. 

Many Senate Republicans are also demanding a more detailed explanation from Trump about his decision to fire Linick, though so far none have come out to say they are willing to support new legislation.

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) indicated on Monday that he was willing to look at legislation, saying that he would “like to see a way to preserve the independence of the Inspectors General.”