WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump fired over a dozen inspectors general across federal agencies late Friday night, one of the fired officials confirmed to USA TODAY.
As many as 17 were let go without notice by email, despite federal law requiring 30 days notice to Congress to remove an inspector general. The inspectors general are independent watchdogs within agencies who investigate and disclose waste, fraud and abuse.
Those fired Friday include inspectors at the Pentagon and departments of State, Veterans Affairs and Interior, which oversees marine oil and gas leases as well as Indian Affairs, said the fired official who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.
The official said there was an expectation it would happen, but the move was still shocking.
Watchdogs at the departments of Homeland Security and Justice were not part of the purge. The Washington Post, which was first to report the dismissals, said most were appointees from Trump’s 2017-2021 first term.
Agencies are pressing ahead with orders from Trump, who returned to the presidency on Monday, to reshape the federal bureaucracy by scrapping diversity programs, rescinding job offers and sidelining more than 150 national security and foreign policy officials.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said in a statement that “there may be good reason the IGs were fired,” but he wants “further explanation from President Trump.”
“Regardless, the 30 day detailed notice of removal that the law demands was not provided to Congress.”
Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, called Trump’s action a “purge of independent watchdogs in the middle of the night,” posting on X: “President Trump is dismantling checks on his power and paving the way for widespread corruption.”
Former Trump lawyer Sidney Powell, an ally of the president, defended the decision on X, saying “existing IGs are virtually worthless.”
“They may bring a few minor things to light but accomplish next to nothing,” she wrote. “The whole system needs to be revamped! They are toothless and protect the institution instead of the citizens.”
Many politically appointed leaders of agencies and departments come and go with each administration, but an inspector general can serve under multiple presidents.
During his first term, Trump fired five inspectors general in less than two months in 2020. This included the State Department, whose inspector general had played a role in the president’s impeachment proceedings.
Last year, Trump’s predecessor Joe Biden fired the inspector general of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, after an investigation found the official had created a hostile work environment.
