Report: Trump Concerned Zinke May Have 'Broken Rules' In Wake Of DOJ Referral
- 5 years ago
The Washington Post reported Thursday that the White House is "increasingly concerned" about Ryan Zinke in the wake of Justice Department referral.
Days after reports that the Interior Department's Office of the Inspector General had referred Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to the Justice Department for investigation, the Washington Post reports that the White House is "increasingly concerned" about Zinke's conduct.
The Post notes, citing sources, "President Trump has asked aides for more information about a Montana land deal under scrutiny by the Justice Department."
According to the publication: "Trump told his aides that he is afraid Zinke has broken rules while serving as the interior secretary and is concerned about the Justice Department referral, according to the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter."
Zinke is reportedly facing multiple investigations. Days ago, in a Politico report, he was named among the senior officials who could depart after the midterm elections.
Politico noted, based on inside sources, that as many as six Cabinet officials could be leaving which would add to an already high turnover rate.
A Republican source was quoted as saying: "The president is looking to get better performers – all of these decisions are being made in the context of the re-election campaign. Trump wants the strongest possible A-team going into 2020."
One person who has already announced her departure is United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley.
Politico notes that others who could be nearing an exit, besides Zinke, are Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Defense Secretary James Mattis, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen.
Days after reports that the Interior Department's Office of the Inspector General had referred Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to the Justice Department for investigation, the Washington Post reports that the White House is "increasingly concerned" about Zinke's conduct.
The Post notes, citing sources, "President Trump has asked aides for more information about a Montana land deal under scrutiny by the Justice Department."
According to the publication: "Trump told his aides that he is afraid Zinke has broken rules while serving as the interior secretary and is concerned about the Justice Department referral, according to the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter."
Zinke is reportedly facing multiple investigations. Days ago, in a Politico report, he was named among the senior officials who could depart after the midterm elections.
Politico noted, based on inside sources, that as many as six Cabinet officials could be leaving which would add to an already high turnover rate.
A Republican source was quoted as saying: "The president is looking to get better performers – all of these decisions are being made in the context of the re-election campaign. Trump wants the strongest possible A-team going into 2020."
One person who has already announced her departure is United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley.
Politico notes that others who could be nearing an exit, besides Zinke, are Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Defense Secretary James Mattis, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen.