Trump fires State Department watchdog who played minor role in impeachment

President Trump late Friday dismissed State Department Inspector General Steve A. Linick, who played a minor role in last year's impeachment drama and was sharply critical of Hillary Clinton’s email scandal.

The president's decision was transmitted in a letter to congressional leaders saying he no longer had the "fullest confidence" in Linick, who has served as the State Department's chief watchdog since he was appointed by President Obama in 2013. 

Over the last few weeks, Trump has fired a handful of federal agency watchdogs as he seeks to reshape the inspector general community with his own appointees.

Officials said Ambassador Stephen Akard, a career diplomat who currently heads the State Department's Office of Foreign Missions, has been named to replace Linick.

Linick drew brief headlines last October when he provided to Congress a folder of documents that Rudy Giuliani, Trump's personal lawyer, had given the department alleging possible wrongdoing in Ukraine. The episode was one of many cited by Democrats as they pursued impeachment against Trump.

Democrats have howled about several of Trump's decisions to replace holdover Obama appointees in recent months. And Friday night was no different.

"Shameful. Another late Friday night attack on independence, accountability, and career officials. At this point, the President's paralyzing fear of any oversight is undeniable," Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., tweeted.