Thread by @Brandi_Buchman

Remember Steve Linick? The State Dept watchdog ousted during probes into Secy of State Pompeo’s alleged misuse of funds? The man Linick accused of "bullying" him, under Secy of State for Mgmt Brian Bulatao testifies before Congress today. Story to come.

Background here via my trusty former colleague Tim Ryan:

courthousenews.com/ousted-state-w…

Live-stream available here, hosted by the @HouseForeign Affairs Cmte:
In addition to Brian Bulatao, also testifying today:
Marik String, acting legal adviser for the State Dept &
R. Clarke Cooper, ass't Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs

The anticipated q's for State officials today will be whether Linick's removal was part of a campaign to keep quiet IG findings that said the '19 emergency declaration for $8B in arms to Saudi Arabia was done without risk assessment for civilian casualties, legal considerations

House Foreign Affairs cmte chair Eliot Engel to Bulatao: "What this is all about is you and Secy Pompeo apparently think you should be able to do whatever you want and not face accountability and scrutiny of any kind."

Engel continues: "Congress is blocking weapons sales? Find a way around it. IG looking into how the secretary spends taxpayers’ money? Fire him. Report shows we made up a phony emergency and didn't do our due diligence to prevent civilians from being killed. Cover it up, spin it"

Engel: "Hide it in a classified annex. Redact redact redact, And you pat yourself on the back that you technically follow process laid out in law. Yeah, more children may die but your scheme to make an end run around Congress wasn’t illegal, strictly speaking. Congratulations."

Bulatao: Linick's removal was not retaliation. The secy did not remove Linick because of awareness to investigations. Those allegations of retaliation "could not be further from the truth" and are without "any factual basis or truth."
Linick, he says, failed to lead w/integrity.

I will have a story to come for @CourthouseNews.

STORY: Officials from the State Department staunchly defended President Donald Trump for his abrupt firing of a federal watchdog investigating weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and possible abuse of power by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
MORE: courthousenews.com/state-departme…