Trump Fires 17 Inspectors General, Including His Appointees, Potentially Violating Federal Law

Jan 25, 2025, 04:57 AM

President Donald Trump fired independent inspectors general of at least 17 major federal agencies late Friday night in a widespread purge that could allow him to install loyalists in positions responsible for identifying fraud, waste, and abuse in the government. The affected agencies include the Departments of Defense, State, Transportation, Veterans Affairs, Housing, Interior, and Energy. Some of the dismissed inspectors general were appointed by Trump during his first term. The dismissals, which appear to violate federal law requiring 30 days’ notice to Congress, have drawn criticism for undermining the independence of watchdogs tasked with holding the government accountable. “It’s a widespread massacre,” said one of the fired inspectors general. “Whoever Trump puts in now will be viewed as loyalists, and that undermines the entire system.” Lawmakers, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, have condemned the move as a dangerous purge of independent watchdogs.