Michael Atkinson | |
|---|---|
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:Michael_K._Atkinson_official_photo.jpg) | |
| Inspector General of the Intelligence Community | |
| In office May 17, 2018 – May 3, 2020 On leave: April 3, 2020 – May 3, 2020 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Charles McCullough |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Monheim |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael Kevin Atkinson May 16, 1964 Oswego, New York, U.S. |
| Spouse | Kathryn Cameron |
| Education | Syracuse University (BA) Cornell University (JD) |
Michael Kevin Atkinson (born May 16, 1964) is an American attorney. He worked for the United States Department of Justice for approximately 15 years, before becoming the second Inspector General of the Intelligence Community. He assumed office on May 17, 2018.
Atkinson is known for alerting Congress in September 2019 to a whistleblower complaint about President Donald Trump pressuring Ukraine to investigate political rival for the presidency Democrat Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden; the scandal eventually led to Trump's impeachment and acquittal.[1][2]
On April 3, 2020, President Trump dismissed Atkinson, saying he "no longer" had confidence in the Inspector General (Atkinson's actual deposition was dated to 30 days from April 3; he was placed on administrative leave and "effectively [fired]" on April 3). [3] A bipartisan group of senators demanded a more thorough explanation from Trump regarding the ousting.[4][5][6]
- ^ wilber, Del Quentin (January 11, 2021). "He was told to be independent, and Trump fired him for it". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
- ^ Bertrand, Natasha; Desiderio, Andrew (April 3, 2020). "Trump fires intelligence community inspector general who defied him on Ukraine". Politico. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
- ^ "Trump Defends Firing 'Terrible' Intel Community Watchdog as Republicans Question Sacking". Politico. April 4, 2020. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
- ^ "Senators demand more information from Trump on ousting of intel community inspector general". www.cbsnews.com. April 9, 2020. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
- ^ Choi, Matthew (April 10, 2020). "Barr backs Trump on firing of intel IG, calls Russia investigation baseless". POLITICO. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
- ^ Romboy, Dennis (April 9, 2020). "Mitt Romney, others demand Trump explain firing of intelligence inspector general". Deseret News. Retrieved January 11, 2021.