FILE PHOTO: U.S. State Department Inspector General Steve Linick departs after briefing House and Senate Intelligence committees at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S. October 2, 2019. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A State Department inspector general abruptly fired by U.S. President Donald Trump last month defended his record to lawmakers on Wednesday, saying he had served in his oversight role without regard to politics.
Trump fired Steve Linick as State Department Inspector General on May 15, making him the fourth government watchdog dismissed by the Republican president in recent months.
Inspectors general are charged with preventing fraud and ab