Intel: Saudi arms sale probe factored in Trump's firing of watchdog

President Donald Trump fired State Department Inspector General Steve Linick last week in part because of an investigation into an $8 billion emergency arms sale for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, a source on Capitol Hill told Al-Monitor.

A Democratic aide told Al-Monitor that the House Foreign Affairs Committee “has received information that this investigation was tied to his removal.”

The Washington Post first reported that the year-old arms sale was part of Linick’s investigation into Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Trump fired Linick on Friday night at Pompeo’s urging. Initial reports indicated that Linick was investigating allegations that Pompeo had used a staffer to perform personal chores and errands.

Why it matters:  Today’s revelation indicates that the president was also concerned about the arms sale investigation.