Democrats: Fired watchdog was looking into Saudi arms sale

(AP) — Congressional Democrats say the State Department inspector general whom President Donald Trump fired last week was investigating possible impropriety in a massive arms sale to Saudi Arabia last year. Such a probe would add new questions to the watchdog’s abrupt dismissal.

The sale of weapons to the Saudis is apart from suggestions the agency’s independent watchdog was looking into allegations that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo may have improperly ordered staff to run personal errands.

The administration overrode congressional objections to push through the $7 billion Saudi arms sale. On Monday, President Donald Trump defended such sales as good for the U.S. economy.