By Aaron Miller-
Highly ranked Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, Sen Bob Menendez vowed on Monday to introduce legislation to limit President Trump’s ability to fire watchdogs within the administration.
His decision to introduce new legislation comes after Trump fired Steve Linick, the State Department inspector general. It is the fourth internal official fired by the U.S president recently.
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The State Department IG under Linick had been investigating Pompeo’s alleged misuse of a staffer to carry out personal tasks, and had also been probing Trump’s emergency sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia. Pompeo who said he was unaware of the investigation admitted pushing for the termination of Linick after telling the U.S president he was not professionally competent in his job.
Linick, a U.S attorney and State Department official ho graduated his Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Arts in Philosophy, before achieving his Juris Doctor Degree, also known as the Doctor of Jurisprudence degree- one of several doctors of Law degree.
The sacking has irked Menendez, a political veteran who has held his seat since 2006. and was elected Chair of the United States Committee since 2013.
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In a statement, clearly directed at bringing an end to what he considers an abuse of power by the American president, Menendez said:
“This latest action by the President calls for an immediate response from Congress. That is why I will be introducing new legislation to create additional protections against removing an Inspector General, and to prevent a President from carrying out an unjustified—or worse, politically motivated—removal.” 
Fired: Steve Linick as investigating both Pompeo and President Donald Trump
Menendez’s forthcoming bill would give Congress a way to review attempts by a president to remove IG’s and would only allow an inspector general to be fired “for cause,” such as misusing funds, abuse of power or breaking the law.
It would also require that any acting inspectors general be a career official and for the head of agency to recuse themselves if they are under investigation.
Trump announced his decision to fire Linick in a letter to Nancy Pelosi, ststing that he no longer had the “fullest confidence” in him. Pompeo reportedly asked the president to fire Linick, saying he was not performing his duties well
“I went to the president and made clear to him that Inspector General Linick wasn’t performing a function in a way that we had tried to get him to, that was additive for the State Department, very consistent with what the statute says he’s supposed to be doing,” Pompeo said.
Meanwhile, both Trump and Pompeo denied retaliation was a motive for the sacking. Trump told reporters:
”I don’t know anything about the investigation but you’re just telling me about walking a dog,” he said. “It’s terrible. It’s so stupid. You know how stupid that sounds to the world? Unbelievable.”
He added: “I’d rather have him on the phone with some world leader than have him wash dishes because maybe his wife isn’t there or his kids aren’t there.
“Look, he’s a high quality person, Mike.
“He’s a very high quality, he’s a very brilliant guy.
“And now I have you telling me about dog walking, washing dishes and, you know what, I’d rather have him on the phone with some world leader than have him wash dishes because maybe his wife isn’t there or his kids aren’t there, you know.”
Legislation
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) last month unveiled legislation to give Senate-confirmed agency watchdogs a seven-year term in office, with the ability to serve more than one term.
Under the bill, the inspectors general could only be removed from office early for permanent incapacity, inefficiency, neglect of duty, malfeasance, or conviction of a felony or conduct involving moral turpitude.
That bill did not save Linnick from losing his job, as it applies to those who become Senates after the bill was made. Linnick’s sacking has sparked an internal investigation
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