Late Friday, the White House dismissed 17 inspectors general, responsible for oversight across various federal agencies. The Washington Post indicated the dismissals could be illegal, as federal law mandates a 30-day notice to Congress prior to firing a Senate-confirmed inspector general. The purge shocked observers, primarily affecting Trump appointees and prompting criticisms that future appointees would be seen as loyalists, potentially undermining independence in oversight. The dismissals were conveyed abruptly, with some inspectors learning of their fate through media inquiries, highlighting concerns over the administration's desire for non-independent watchdogs.
"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."
The dismissals appeared to violate federal law, which requires Congress to receive 30 days' notice of any intent to fire a Senate-confirmed inspector general.
The emails informing the watchdogs of their dismissals rippled across the agencies Friday. Another fired inspector general learned of his ouster by reading the email for the first time while on the phone with a Washington Post reporter.
Though the Trump team had been reportedly looking to target several inspectors general in its big opening blitz after Trump took power, the scale of Friday night's purge still came as a surprise to many.
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