Democratic senators press Pompeo for answers on dismissal of ambassador to Ukraine

Ten Democratic senators on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee wrote to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Thursday seeking answers on the May removal of then-ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch.

The senators, led by Ranking Member Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), asked Pompeo not to “impede” Yovanovitch’s upcoming deposition to Congress and shield her from any possible retaliation.

{mosads}The letter accused Pompeo of remaining silent amid a “smear campaign” of Yovanovitch by figures including President Trump, his son Donald Trump Jr. and his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani.

It further claims Pompeo has refused to publicly support State Department personnel amid Trump’s ongoing attacks on the unnamed whistleblower whose complaint about his July call with Ukraine’s president led the House to launch an impeachment inquiry.

“As the head of our country’s global diplomatic force, your refusal to stand up for career employees and support whistleblowers is disturbing,” the letter states. “It is incumbent on you not to further the President’s damaging and unfounded attacks, but to send a simple message to everyone who works at the Department of State—you have their backs.”

The letter also asked Pompeo about specific remarks Trump made in the July 25 call, including referring to Yovanovitch as “bad news,” and for an explanation of why she was removed early and whether Trump or Giuliani gave him specific instructions regarding Yovanovitch.

The letter came the same day as the announcement that two Florida businessmen and associates of Giuliani, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, have been indicted in connection with campaign finance violations.

Parnas and Fruman also allegedly lobbied an unnamed former congressman to get Yovanovitch fired. Details of the indictment align with contributions to former Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas), who has denied any wrongdoing.