MSNBC's Rachel Maddow explains how a 'coincidence' destroyed the Trump admin's attempt to kill Zinke investigations

MSNBC's Rachel Maddow on Thursday revealed a previously-overlooked "coincidence" about the Housing and Urban Development employee who the Trump administration tried — and failed to — install as the inspector general at the Interior Department.

Earlier in the week, Interior Department Acting Inspector General Mary Kendall learned via an email that Suzanne Israel Tufts, the Trump-appointed assistant director of HUD, was to replace her. Kendall did not receive the email sent from HUD Secretary Ben Carson herself, but rather learned of its existence from a colleague.

As Maddow pointed out, Tufts — a Queens, New York native with "no relevant experience whatsoever" who worked on the Trump campaign — signed off on Carson's questionable decision to spend $31,000 in government funds on a dining set for his office.

The host also pointed out that the same woman who found such expenditures acceptable would also have led the four investigations into whether Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke committed ethics violations — including investigations about his use of taxpayer funds.

Democrats on the committee that oversees the Interior Department also noticed Tufts' startling track record on alleged ethics violations — and as the host noted, they flagged that issue to an association for inspectors general with their concerns.

In this case, Maddow said, "shame made an appearance" Thursday when the Interior Department released a statement saying Carson's assertion that the IG was being replaced was "false information."

Watch below, via MSNBC.

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