Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani, left, gives flowers to Susan Pompeo as she and her husband, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, arrive at Tbilisi International Airport in Tbilisi, Georgia, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020.
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, Pool)WASHINGTON ā An independent probe into the travel of Secretary of State Mike Pompeoās wife has concluded that the trips with her husband on official business did not violate federal ethics rules.
The IG report was released just hours after the State Department took aim at the watchdog, Democratic members of Congress and media outlets for raising questions about Susan Pompeoās travel and suggesting it may have been inappropriate.
Susan Pompeo had attracted criticism for using government resources while accompanying her husband on diplomatic trips.
The inspector general reacted icily to Brechbuhl's comment, saying it did not accurately reflect the role and work of an independent watchdog.