The situation has caused concern inside and outside the State Department about Akard's ability to serve as the agency's independent watchdog, according to State Department officials and members of Congress.
has no investigative or oversight experience and faces a slew of potential conflicts of interest, according to an internal State Department email, lawmakers and agency sources.
He said inspector generals are supposed to be completely independent of the agencies they oversee, but Akard is a Trump political appointee and part of the State Department's management team. It comes as the Inspector General's office is investigating two highly contentious matters that touch directly on Pompeo's actions: allegations that he used a State Department employee to run personal errands for himself and his wife, and questions about the State Department's decision to greenlightAt Pompeo's urging, President Donald Trump announced on May 15 that he was firingDemocrats in Congress have accused Pompeo of trying to shield himself from Linick's inquiries.
He told them he was not"here to stop anything or upset the apple cart," this person said. But when pressed about his dual roles – and the fact that Bulatao is his supervisor – his answer was not reassuring. A senior State Department official said no matter what firewalls are put in place, Akard will still be conflicted.
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