Where Are They?': Biden Criticizes G.O.P. Over Trump's Firing of Inspectors Generalĺ

[applegrove]

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/20/us/politics/biden-trump-inspectors-general.html

By Katie Glueck and Astead W. Herndon

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Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. on Wednesday blasted the Republican response to President Trump’s firings of a string of inspectors general in recent weeks, suggesting that in another era there would have been louder bipartisan criticism for ousting watchdogs.

His remarks, part of a virtual round table aimed at a Wisconsin audience, came several days after the president ousted Steve A. Linick, who led the office of the inspector general at the State Department — the latest inspector general Mr. Trump has removed.

The White House has said Mr. Trump fired Mr. Linick at the urging of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Democrats have opened an investigation. Mr. Biden spoke in forceful terms about his disappointment in some of his former Republican colleagues.

“That used to be a hobbyhorse for Republican senators,” said Mr. Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee and previously a longtime Delaware senator. “Republican senators joined Democrats, they were strongly, strongly, strongly supportive of these independent inspector generals.”

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