We asked earlier today whether Sen. Claire McCaskill would be satisfied with the White House’s explanation of its reasons for firing AmeriCorps IG Gerald Walpin. And it looks the answer is yes.
McCaskill said in a statement, reports CNN, that the White House was now in full compliance with the law, and added: “The reasons given in the most recent White House letter are substantial and the decision to remove Walpin appears well founded.”
The Missouri senator had been the first Democrat to join Republicans in asking the White House for a fuller explanation of the dismissal. She contended that the law required the White House to fully explain to Congress the rationale for such a decision.
Earlier McCaskill had tweeted: “The letter from the White House late yesterday is certainly compliance with the law as to reason for removal.”
Of course, the White House’s explanation — that Walpin was “confused” and “disoriented” at a recent meeting, and that he was often absent from the office, among other things — may not satisfy Republicans and their allies. Walpin himself appeared on Glenn Beck’s show on Fox News this afternoon to keep pushing the notion that he was fired for going after an Obama ally, Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson.
But McCaskill’s response may serve to temporarily ease the pressure on the White House. As for Sen. Charles Grassley, who has led the GOP charge on the issue, we’ll keep you posted on his response.