2020-05-22 11:15:30

Why Is Trump Purging Inspectors General?



Sonali Kolhatkar speaks with Elizabeth Shackelford.

The State Department’s new Acting Inspector General is also its head of the Office of Foreign Missions. Stephen Akard, who is a Senate-approved political appointee was picked to replace the recently fired State Department Inspector General Steve Linick.

But by retaining his other post at the department, Akard is now effectively overseeing himself. And that appears to be the pattern within the Trump administration which has in just six weeks purged 4 Inspectors General.

Mr. Linick’s removal—which is the latest instance—appears to be the direct result of his inquiry into State Secretary Mike Pompeo’s potential abuses of power. What does such a pattern of actions mean for the federal government?

Elizabeth Shackelford, fellow with the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and author of “The Dissent Channel: American Diplomacy in a Dishonest Age.” She was a U.S. diplomat until December 2017 when she resigned in protest of the Trump administration.

Rising Up with Sonali is a radio and television show that brings progressive news coverage rooted in gender and racial justice to a wide audience. 

Rising Up With Sonali was built on the foundation of Sonali Kolhatkar's earlier show, Uprising, which became the longest-running drive-time radio show on KPFK in Los Angeles hosted by a woman. 

RUS airs on Free Speech TV every weekday.

Missed an episode?  Check out Rising Up on FSTV VOD anytime or visit the show page for the latest clips.

#FreeSpeechTV is one of the last standing national, independent news networks committed to advancing progressive social change. 

#FSTV is available on Dish, DirectTV, AppleTV, Roku, Sling and online at freespeech.org.

Donald Trump Elizabeth Shackelford Free Speech TV Inspectors Inspectors General Rising Up with Sonali Sonali Kolhatkar United States

Politics

Democracy Now!

Democracy Now! | Uncommitted Delegates Stage Sit-In for Palestinian Representation at DNC

Democracy Now! | Uncommitted Delegates Stage Sit-In for Palestinian Representation at DNC

Gay USA

GAY USA | Remembering TV’s Phil Donahue, a Peerless Ally on LGBTQ and AIDS Issues

GAY USA | Remembering TV’s Phil Donahue, a Peerless Ally on LGBTQ and AIDS Issues

The Stephanie Miller Show

The Stephanie Miller Show | Could Trump be Advising Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu?

The Stephanie Miller Show | Could Trump be Advising Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu?

This Week In White Supremacy- Presented by 1HoodMedia

This Week In White Supremacy | J.D. Vance's Views Stir Concerns for 2024

This Week In White Supremacy | J.D. Vance's Views Stir Concerns for 2024

Related

The Stephanie Miller Show

The Stephanie Miller Show | Could Trump be Advising Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu?

The Stephanie Miller Show | Could Trump be Advising Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu?

This Week In White Supremacy- Presented by 1HoodMedia

This Week In White Supremacy | J.D. Vance's Views Stir Concerns for 2024

This Week In White Supremacy | J.D. Vance's Views Stir Concerns for 2024

Democracy Now!

Democracy Now! | Trump Faces Backlash Over Voting Remarks

Democracy Now! | Trump Faces Backlash Over Voting Remarks

Rising Up With Sonali

Rising Up with Sonali | Will Biden’s Israel-Gaza Stance Affect Kamala’s Presidential Bid?

Rising Up with Sonali | Will Biden’s Israel-Gaza Stance Affect Kamala’s Presidential Bid?

Proud Partners