'You would have to ask Mike': Trump says Pompeo told him to fire State watchdog

President Donald Trump on Monday told reporters in the White House that he had "never even heard of" State Department Inspector General Steve Linick, but fired him anyway after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo "asked me to terminate him."

The watchdog's dismissal has ignited a political firestorm amid accusations from Democrats that Pompeo was seeking to quash investigations into his use of staff for personal errands, as well as arms sales to Saudi Arabia that bucked the will of Congress.

"I was asked by the State Department, by Mike," the president said, noting that Linick was appointed by his predecessor, Barack Obama. "I said, you know, these are Obama appointees, and if you would like to let them go, I think you should let them go. But that's up to you," he said, referring to his Cabinet officers.