Ok so Politico just beat me to it! @nahaltoosi But have been working on the details of a new State Dept. Inspector General report set to be released any day now—
and already sent to State— further describing the political vetting that went on after Trump took office.

A source familiar with the report says the IG found that one longtime federal employee (since the George W. Bush administration), Sahar Nowrouzzadeh, was quickly shuttled out of the Policy Planning office not based on merit--

but only after discussions among political appointees about her perceived political beliefs, perceived connection to prior administrations, and perceived national origin.

In a set of emails I saw, then-Policy-Planning head Brian Hook—now special rep for Iran—emailed himself some notes based on this scuttlebutt, criticizing various State employees. Nowrouzzadeh’s name is at the top.

On the other employees, Hook noted of one, “she is a leaker and troublemaker. NSC. Work to damage president….”

On others: “Butter up to Clinton people.” “He talks to Kuwaitis and discusses things that aren’t in his remit.” “Turncoat who said we have to resist. Fully political.” “Palestinian Arab. Not friendly to Israel.”

Another email chain shows a Trump ally sending Newt Gingrich an article containing false info about Nowrouzzadeh, including that she was close to the highest levels of “the Iranian regime.”

The email says “Newt: I think a cleaning is in order there. I hear Tillerson actually has been reasonably good on stuff like this and cleaning house, but there are so many that it boggles the mind…”

Gingrich forwards this to then-SecState Rex Tillerson’s chief of staff, Margaret Peterlin, saying: “I thought you should be aware of this.” She replies to some Trump appointees on her team that they are now addressing it, “working with Brian [Hook].”

One email sent around alleged that Nowrouzzadeh HAD BEEN BORN IN IRAN-- ***WHICH SHE HAD NOT.***

Before Tillerson arrived, Nowrouzzadeh had been assigned to a prestigious special detail in State's policy planning office. But once the Trump took over, that assignment was suddenly cut short....

and she was moved back to the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. She has since taken an unpaid leave of absence, for a position at Harvard University and to complete a PhD.

A source familiar with the IG's findings told me that it recommends DISCIPLINARY ACTION be taken-- against Brian Hook. And emphasizes that federal law requires that civil servants be assessed based on merit.

One source says the report shows one Trump appointee, Juli Haller (now at HUD, in the Center for Faith & Opportunity Initiative), interviewed by the IG, said she brought up Nowrouzzadeh’s (UNTRUE) Iranian nationality because it could affect her loyalty to the United States.

Haller sent an email around claiming Nowrouzzadeh was born in Iran and “cried” when Trump was elected, the source says. Forwarded to Brian Hook, he called this “helpful info” (!!!) and said he was seeking more intel on Nowrouzzadeh surrounding the Iran nuclear deal. (!!!)

The IG report, according to the source, concludes that Nowrouzzadeh had a history of strong performance appraisals, with no evidence ever presented of politics or bias at play in her work.

Many at State tell me they feel the IG is the last bastion to stop things like this. Many have no faith in Pompeo and his team-- for so very many reasons.