Trump removes key official overseeing $2.2 trillion rescue package

[Stevicus]

Trump upends virus oversight, removing key official

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President Donald Trump listens during a conference call with banks on efforts to help small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, at the White House, Tuesday, April 7, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)


WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is moving aggressively to challenge the authority and independence of agency watchdogs overseeing his administration, including removing the inspector general tasked with overseeing the $2.2 trillion coronavirus rescue package that passed Congress with bipartisan support.

In four days, Trump has fired one inspector general tied to his impeachment, castigated another he felt was overly critical of the coronavirus response and sidelined a third meant to safeguard against wasteful spending of the coronavirus funds.

The actions have sent shock waves across the close-knit network of watchdog officials in government, creating open conflict between a president reflexively resistant to outside criticism and an oversight community tasked with rooting out fraud, misconduct and abuse.

So, the person who was charged with the responsibility to safeguard against wasteful spending and corruption regarding the $2.2 trillion has been removed.

The most recent act threatens to upend scrutiny of the $2.2 trillion coronavirus rescue effort now underway, setting the stage for a major clash between Trump, government watchdogs and Democrats who are demanding oversight of the vast funds being pumped into the American economy.

“We’re seeing since Friday a wrecking ball across the IG community,” said Danielle Brian, executive director of the Project on Government Oversight, a government watchdog group.

A day earlier, Trump had asserted without evidence that an inspector general report warning of shortages of coronavirus testing in hospitals was “just wrong” and skewed by political bias. The report surveyed more than 300 U.S. hospitals.

“Did I hear the word inspector general? Really?” Trump said when pressed about the Health and Human Services watchdog report.

Regarding the $2.2 trillion rescue package and who will oversee it, Trump said "I'll be the oversight."

“The president now has engaged in a series of actions designed to neuter any kind of oversight of his actions and that of the administration during a time of national crisis, when trillions of dollars are being allocated to help the American people,” Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., told The Associated Press.

But Trump has made clear his willingness to flout that system, perhaps foreshadowing the chaos of the last week.

As lawmakers were in the final stages of drafting what became the $2.2 trillion coronavirus rescue package, he declared, “I’ll be the oversight.”

This is just one mess after another.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

Trump upends virus oversight, removing key official



So, the person who was charged with the responsibility to safeguard against wasteful spending and corruption regarding the $2.2 trillion has been removed.

Regarding the $2.2 trillion rescue package and who will oversee it, Trump said "I'll be the oversight."



This is just one mess after another.

Can a president decide to oversee something like this personally?

 

[fantome profane]

Can a president decide to oversee something like this personally?

I think it depends on the legislation. Which I have not read.

 

[tytlyf]

Seems Moscow Mitch tried to sneak in a 6 month delay on disclosing the payments to corrupt corporations.
We have a serious problem in America. Our Constitution is under threat. Biggest threat in history.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

I think it depends on the legislation. Which I have not read.

Or what lawyers can decide the rules say.

 

[sun rise]

If people are watching carefully, corrupt looting of the money will be harder. And given the third-world corrupt mentality of those who profit from disaster (stories about people doing stock trades after getting briefings etc), it's what I expect.

And since Mitch and crew won't convict him no matter what he does, he's feeling pretty OK about doing whatever he feels like doing.

 

[Shad]

Trump upends virus oversight, removing key official



So, the person who was charged with the responsibility to safeguard against wasteful spending and corruption regarding the $2.2 trillion has been removed.

Regarding the $2.2 trillion rescue package and who will oversee it, Trump said "I'll be the oversight."



This is just one mess after another.

He was replaced by another IG... No one was fired. Fine is going back to his normal job.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

And since Mitch and crew won't convict him no matter what he does, he's feeling pretty OK about doing whatever he feels like doing.

At this point Trump is roght to feel he can act with impunity because the Reps will not stand against him.

 

[Twilight Hue]

He was replaced by another IG... No one was fired. Fine is going back to his normal job.

I figured there was more to the story aside from the sensationalized headline reminiscent of OMG Baaadddd Nasty Trump wants to kill us all!!!!

Yet another OP blown all out of proportion. Again.

Typical.

 

[Sunstone]

Mr. Trump has removed an inspector general who he himself did not appoint. Presumably Mr. Trump will appoint his successor.

Let those who have eyes to see, see.

 

[Shad]

I figured there was more to the story aside from the sensationalized headline reminiscent of OMG Baaadddd Nasty Trump wants to kill us all!!!!

Yet another OP blown all out of proportion. Again.

Typical.

Fine has a job already. He is an acting IG only.

Yes it is merely part of the left's narrative which requires one to see the worst scenario as a fact.

Mr. Trump has removed an inspector general who he himself did not appoint. Presumably Mr. Trump will appoint his successor.

Let those who have eyes to see, see.

Sean O'Donnell has already replaced Fine. IGs work for the executive branch. He does not need to appoint a person in order to transfer or fire that person.

 

[metis]

So, the person who was charged with the responsibility to safeguard against wasteful spending and corruption regarding the $2.2 trillion has been removed.

Of course, because Trump doesn't want us to see where he's spending the money even though the bill has that provision right in it in black &I white. Remember, the "rule of law" doesn't apply to Trump, nor does basic Judeo-Christian teachings.

 

[columbus]

Can a president decide to oversee something like this personally?

If his plan is to reward his supporters and punish everyone else, he could easily just delegate oversight to one of his kids.

Heck, Melania could handle being sure that the money is used to support Trump's upcoming run for White House.
Tom

 

[tytlyf]

Here's Fox and Friends' take on the rebate checks going out, recession. Strange times.