Grassley says White House 'failed' on watchdog firings

[brooklynite]

Source: Politico

White House counsel Pat Cipollone told a top Republican senator on Tuesday that President Donald Trump acted appropriately when he fired two independent government watchdogs.

The long-awaited response, which Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) demanded after Trump fired the inspectors general for the intelligence community and the State Department, comes after lawmakers on both sides of the aisle expressed concern with the president’s actions and asserted that he did not comply with a statute requiring a detailed explanation for those firings.


In a subsequent statement, Grassley said Cipollone’s response “failed to address” that requirement, which was codified in a 2008 law that Grassley co-authored.

“I don’t dispute the president’s authority under the Constitution, but without sufficient explanation, it’s fair to question the president’s rationale for removing an inspector general,” Grassley said. “If the president has a good reason to remove an inspector general, just tell Congress what it is. Otherwise, the American people will be left speculating whether political or self interests are to blame.”

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/26/grassley-watchdog-white-house-283324

[Iliyah]

1. Do nothing republicans . .

[FarPoint]

4. Yeap...after the deed is done...

then complain...or appear to complain....such a fake.

[lagomorph777]

20. Trump succeeded. Assley failed.

[Lonestarblue]

2. Too little, too late.

Republicans have already told Trump that they don’t care how many laws Trump breaks.

[lastlib]

3. Maybe Susie could lend him some concern?

"Otherwise, the American people will be left speculating whether political or self interests are to blame.”

I don't think we have to speculate, Chuckie. This was just about as naked as self-interest ever gets.

[lagomorph777]

21. No speculation here. It's as plain as day that political self-interest is to blame.

For both Trump and Assley.

[bucolic_frolic]

5. Trump is reducing risk to Trump but pushing risk onto others

Firing IG's is to reduce risk to Trump. Period.

But risk hasn't been repealed. Trump failed on Risk re: COVID-19, and bludgeoned Powell into risky QE. Ignoring the pandemic created a larger infectious wave which led to bigger shutdowns as states tried to deal with the crisis. Payments to corporations and higher earners while barely acknowledging the poorest households will create asset bubbles . Risk is flooding a contracting economy with cash.

[gibraltar72]

6. No it was you who failed to do your job. You also failed the nation.

[bluedigger]

7. The same Sen. Grassley responsible for the tax break for real estate investors in the Covid bill?

That Senator Grassley?

Kabuki theatre.

[MissMillie]

8. These guys want to have it both ways

They buddy up to 45, they fail to remove him or hold him accountable in ANY way, and NOW that they see him in electoral trouble, they're criticizing him?

"Have you no decency, sir?"

[Evolve Dammit]

9. GOP is no more than a group of morally bankrupt enablers of a sociopath.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

10. If they can be hired & fired by the people they are watching, then they aren't independent. . . . nt

[greenjar_01]

11. Failed with no consequences

The usual Republican "concern."

[Pobeka]

12. Grassley clutching his pearls again. Someone with talent should make that image. n/t

[SergeStorms]

13. VERY strongly worded, Chuck.

All republicans are complicit in abetting the Trump Crime Family, and worthless as tits on an earthworm.

[KPN]

14. BS Grassley. Might as well just be upfront and tell him make something up. That's

essentially what he did -- he coached him. Fuckers!

[riversedge]

15. Hey Grassley--we already KNOW " whether political or self interests are to blame."

[titanicdave]

16. .....This Old Bastard....

....Chuck Grassley....is the poster boy for term limits.....no more that 2 six year terms for senate.....no more than 6 two year terms for the house.....and if you are one or the other, you CANNOT run for a seat in the other chamber after your 12 years of government service is up.....

[NCjack]

17. Grassley failed on watchdog firings. He will do nothing meaningful to punish

Trump and prevent future firings.

[maxrandb]

18. The only pieces of amphibian shit that are "left speculating"

Are Retrumplican Senators you doddering, senile, squirio priest fuck.

[Bluepinky]

19. I'm not speculating, I know why the IGs were fired and so do you, Sen. Grassley.

This is what happens when a rogue President is allowed to stay in office and do whatever he wants. You’re to blame, Sen. Grassley.