Secretary of State Mike Pompeo defended his request to remove his department's Inspector General, Steve Linick.
Watch Pompeo's remarks in the video player above.
"[Inspectors general] just like all of us, serve at the pleasure of the president of the United States. In this case, I recommended to the president that Steve Linick be terminated. Frankly, should have done it some time ago," Pompeo told reporters in a news conference on Wednesday.
Pompeo confirmed on Monday that he asked for Linick to be fired, stating that the inspector general was "undermining" the department's mission.
When asked by a reporter during Wednesday's press conference to provide more specifics, Pompeo declined.
"Unlike others I don't talk about personnel matters. I don't leak to y'all," Pompeo responded. "I can't give you specificity. We'll share with the appropriate people the rationale."