According to those familiar with the situation, President Donald Trump dismissed at least 17 independent inspectors general, or watchdogs, from a number of government agencies late Friday.
When Trump returned to the White House, talks about firing these government watchdogs started.
Although the president has the authority to fire inspectors general, he must give Congress 30 days’ notice. In 2022, Congress reinforced the rule, mandating administrations to give a thorough justification for any dismissal of an IG.
Although the full list of IGs impacted is still pending, as of yesterday evening, at least one well-known watchdog, Justice Department IG Michael Horowitz, had not been notified of his termination.
Horowitz, who was appointed by Obama, has written reports that have been critical of the Biden and Trump administrations.
Although it’s unclear if the Trump administration feels compelled to adhere to that requirement, the present law also mandates that any acting IGs originate from within the IG community.
The director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office, Sergio Gor, wrote emails Friday night that caught the inspectors general off guard, according to a source familiar with the firings.
I’m writing to let you know that, in accordance with the emails ABC News examined, your position is being terminated with immediate effect owing to shifting priorities.
The source said that several of the inspectors general had had fruitful discussions with the incoming administration and had met with Trump transition officials at their agencies.
On Saturday, Senator Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, stated that Congress was not given the necessary thirty days’ warning.
During his flight from Las Vegas to Miami on Saturday night, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that the firings were routine.
Well, I did it because, while not all people do it, many people do. Like Horowitz, we’re keeping.
During his flight from Las Vegas to Miami on Saturday night, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that the firings were routine. Well, I did it because, while not all people do it, many people do. Like Horowitz, we’re keeping.”It’s a very standard thing to do, very much like the U.S attorneys,” he continued.
“It’s a very standard thing to do, very much like the U.S attorneys,” he continued.
The IGs may have been sacked for a valid reason. We must ascertain whether that is the case. In an interview with ABC News, Grassley stated, “I would like more explanation from President Trump.” In any case, Congress was not given the 30-day comprehensive notice of withdrawal required by law.
Earlier this week, Grassley told ABC News that the president must give Congress advance notice before removing someone.
The first and foremost is that the president, and not simply Trump, has the authority to remove our Inspector General from office. According to Grassley, this is a message for all of these presidents: you have to give Congress a month’s notice before removing them.
He continued by saying that inspector generals are supposed to be free from political pressure, independent of the agency’s head, and to ensure that the law is followed and funds are allocated properly. He also said that no political pressure should be placed on any of his work.
Mike Ware, the inspector general for the Small Business Administration and the chair of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, wrote to the White House on Friday, stating that dismissing independent watchdogs via email is not a legal way to fire Senate-confirmed, presidentially appointed inspectors general.
The removal process described in the 2022 revisions to the Inspectors General Law is further explained in the letter, which ABC News was able to obtain.
To better enable Congress to discuss and react to a proposed removal of an Inspector General, the obligation to present the substantive rationale—including particular and case-specific reasons—was included in order to safeguard the independence of Inspectors General, according to Ware.
Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the Trump administration for the action during floor remarks on Saturday morning, saying that the dismissals might be illegal under federal law.
Schumer told me that Donald Trump is using these firings as a means of expressing his fear of accountability and his hostility toward facts and transparency.
Just 10 days ago, Republican Senator Joni Ernst established a bipartisan IG caucus.
One member of the new group, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., told ABC News that he anticipates some action from fellow Republican panelists.
“I think it’s a real test of whether they are willing to let loose an unchecked surge of corruption and waste,” the senator said, referring to a bipartisan group that supports the inspectors general.
There was a mixed response among Republican senators.
Texas Senator John Cornyn referred to Grassley when he was asked to remark.
He advised me to attempt to grasp the reasoning behind it and to take things one step at a time.
Sen. Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky, stated that he thinks Trump has the power to replace several of the inspectors general. He did point out that there might be a protocol that needs to be adhered to.
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who contributed to the passage of legislation in 2022 that reinforced the requirement that administrations give specific justifications for dismissing an inspector general, voiced her displeasure with Trump’s action.
Collins said, “I don’t understand why one would fire people whose mission is to root out waste, fraud, and abuse.” I don’t understand why this creates a gap in what I know President Trump prioritizes.
The dismissals were applauded by some Republican senators who had been ardent Trump supporters.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama, said that he supports Trump’s decision to fire the inspector general when questioned about it.
The house needs to be cleaned. “I mean,” he replied, “if they don’t want this country to advance.”
The dismissals of the inspectors general, according to Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., are just another instance of the disregard for the rule of law.
Warner, Trump’s opponent, claimed that he appeared to be attempting to undermine the remaining independence of our government. Inspector generals are supposed to act as an impartial watchdog. In the future, who will occupy such positions?
The top Democrats on the House committees sent Trump a letter later on Saturday vehemently denouncing the dismissal of multiple inspectors general.
In a letter, the activists said, “Your actions violate the law, attack our democracy, and undermine the safety of the American people.”
According to the senators, dismissing inspectors general without good reason is incompatible with good governance, compromises responsible use of public funds, and weakens the federal government’s capacity to operate effectively and efficiently.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.