Cold. as. ice. //

Pompeo was asked about the issue at a State Department news conference earlier today, and again denied that the firing was retaliatory. While he wouldn’t go into too many specifics because it’s a personnel matter, he did take the opportunity to fire back at the office of Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), who Pompeo says is behind the leaks of this story to the press:

Here’s the last thing to think about as you see these stories leaked to you all, to the press. This is all coming through the office of Senator Menendez. I don’t get my ethics guidance from a man who was criminally prosecuted — case number 15-155, New Jersey Federal District Court. A man for whom his Senate colleagues, bipartisan, said basically that he was taking bribes. That’s — that’s not someone who I look to for ethics guidance.

And so, I’ll continue to do the right thing. Make sure the State Department is served by every employee, including our inspector general. And we’ll make sure the State Department continues to deliver on behalf of the American people.