August 4, 2020 - WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) on Monday sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo demanding answers after a report revealed that President Trump urged U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom Robert Wood Johnson to steer the British Open golf tournament to his resort in Scotland. The report also suggests that Ambassador Johnson has made inappropriate comments towards his female staff. Harris expresses her deep concern regarding these reports, citing this is not the first instance of President Trump using his office and foreign relations for his personal gain.

“According to a recent report by the New York Times, Robert Wood Johnson, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom—at President Trump’s urging—sought the assistance of the Government of United Kingdom in steering the British Open golf tournament to the Trump Turnbury resort in Scotland,” said Harris.

“Some or all of these very troubling allegations are reportedly addressed in an investigation of the U.S. Embassy in London initiated under former Inspector General Linick and completed in February. The results of that investigation, however, have still not been made public,” Harris continued. “As Secretary, it is your responsibility to see that our foreign relations are carried out with integrity and Department personnel are treated with dignity and free from harrassment.”

A copy of the letter can be found HERE and below.

Monday, August 3, 2020

The Honorable Michael Pompeo

Secretary of State

U.S. Department of State

2201 C Street NW

Washington, DC 20230

Dear Secretary Pompeo:

According to a recent report by the New York Times, Robert Wood Johnson, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom—at President Trump’s urging—sought the assistance of the Government of United Kingdom in steering the British Open golf tournament to the Trump Turnbury resort in Scotland.

If true, the report reveals another blatant attempt by the President, on your watch, to exploit his office and the foreign relations of the United States for his personal gain. The report also alleges other inappropriate behavior on the part of Ambassador Johnson, including remarking about the physical appearances of women staff, forcing out the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) for speaking favorably of President Obama, and, after interviewing a candidate to replace the DCM, asking whether she was Jewish.

Some or all of these very troubling allegations are reportedly addressed in an investigation of the U.S. Embassy in London initiated under former Inspector General Linick and completed in February. The results of that investigation, however, have still not been made public.

As Secretary, it is your responsibility to see that our foreign relations are carried out with integrity and Department personnel are treated with dignity and free from harrassment. Therefore, I request thorough answers to the following questions not later than Monday, August 10, 2020:

• Ambassador Johnson reportedly met with President Trump on January 29, 2018. Did you attend or participate in that meeting? If not, were you briefed or otherwise made aware of what was discussed? Did the President suggest or make any request related to the Trump Turnbury resort?
• Were you made aware of any allegations of misconduct on the part of Ambassador Johnson, including those described in the Times report? If so, when? What, if anything, did you or other senior officials do in response?
• Were you made aware of the Inspector General’s investigation of Embassy London? If so, when? Were you, at any point made aware, that the investigation’s findings might include allegations of misconduct on the part of Ambassador Johnson or any other Department personnel? If so, when?
• Have you seen or otherwise been made aware of the results of the Inspector General’s investigation? To your knowledge, has Ambassador Johnson seen or otherwise been made aware of the results of the investigation? Have you and Ambassador Johnson ever discussed the investigation or its results? Have you or Ambassador Johnson ever discussed the investigation or its results with the President or anyone at the White House?
• Have you or any other Department official sought to influence, interfere with, or otherwise delay the investigation and/or its publication?

Sincerely,
Source: Senator Kamala D. Harris