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President Donald Trump has dismissed inspectors general from more than a dozen federal agencies, a move that has sparked concern among lawmakers. The firings, which occurred on Friday night (January 24), were confirmed by a senior White House official, who stated that the president aims to install his own picks to oversee these agencies. The dismissals reportedly affected around 17 inspectors general, including those from the departments of State, Agriculture, Interior, and Defense, among others.
The decision has drawn criticism from both sides of the political aisle. Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, a Republican, expressed his concern over the lack of the 30-day notice to Congress required by federal law. He stated, "There may be good reason the IGs were fired. We need to know that if so." Grassley emphasized the importance of understanding the rationale behind the firings.
Democratic leaders have also voiced their disapproval. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer described the dismissals as a "chilling purge" and suggested they might violate federal law. He argued that the move undermines the role of inspectors general in rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse within the government.
The White House has not provided a detailed explanation for the firings, leaving many lawmakers and watchdog groups questioning the legality and motivation behind the action. The inspectors general were dismissed via emails from the White House Presidential Personnel Office, with no prior notice to lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
The firings have set the stage for potential legal challenges, with some inspectors general, like the State Department's Cardell Richardson Sr., planning to contest their dismissals. The move also presents an early test for Congress and the newly confirmed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, as the Defense Department's inspector general was among those dismissed.
As President Trump continues to assert his control over the federal government, the firings highlight his willingness to challenge the authority of independent agency watchdogs. The situation remains fluid, with lawmakers seeking further clarification from the administration.