US President Donald Trump has fired 17 independent inspectors general from various government agencies on Friday night, according to The New York Times.
These included the departments of defense, state, interior, energy, transportation, housing and urban development, and veteran affairs. The officials posted as an inspector general carry out independent audits and investigations into abuse, waste and fraud allegations.
Did Trump break US law while firing officials?
The dismissals are reportedly in violation of US federal laws requiring the administration to give a 30-day notice period regarding firing the inspectors.
It’s a purge of independent watchdogs in the middle of the night.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) January 25, 2025
Inspectors general are charged with rooting out government waste, fraud, abuse, and preventing misconduct.
President Trump is dismantling checks on his power and paving the way for widespread corruption. https://t.co/mZNGzche7Y
Most of the officials fired by Trump were appointed by him during his first term in the White House, according to The Washington Post. However, the New York Times reported that Department of Justice inspector general Michael Horowitz was spared in Friday's dismissal spree.
Slamming Trump for exerting control over independent internal watchdogs, Senator Elizabeth Warren accused Trump of "dismantling checks on his power," which could lead to corruption in the administration.
This development comes less than a week after Trump fired four other senior government officials appointed by the Joe Biden administration on the Day 1 of his second term. Back then Trump had warned of more such dismissals, saying his Presidential Personnel Office will vet other appointees of Biden.
The officials fired on January 20 included Mark Milley (National Infrastructure Advisory Council), Keisha Lance Bottoms (President's Export Council), Jose Andres (President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition) and Brian Hook (Wilson Centre for Scholars).
