Trump dismisses independent inspectors general in Friday evening overhaul
The watchdogs caution that the removals could be considered invalid due to noncompliance with a 2022 law that mandates a 30-day notification to Congress prior to such actions.
TroibNews 
President Donald Trump initiated a significant purge of independent federal watchdogs, known as inspectors general, by firing multiple officials in a Friday night move, thereby diminishing a critical layer of accountability as he consolidates power in his second term, according to two individuals familiar with the dismissals, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the information.
One source indicated that at least a dozen inspectors general were dismissed, including those at the departments of State, Agriculture, Interior, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Education, Labor, and Defense, along with the Small Business Administration, the U.S. Energy Corp., and the Environmental Protection Agency. These agencies manage vast portions of the federal government, overseeing billions in taxpayer funds and extensive global operations.
Inspectors general from the Department of Justice, the Office of Personnel Management, the Federal Communications Commission, the Export-Import Bank, and the Department of Homeland Security remain unaffected, as per the source.
Dismissals were conveyed through emails from the White House Presidential Personnel Office, without prior notification to lawmakers, who had expressed bipartisan support for the watchdogs. The emails did not provide substantial reasoning for the firings; one mentioned “changing priorities” as a justification, according to the source.
A senior White House official confirmed to PMG that “some” inspectors general had been terminated.
Hannibal Ware, the inspector general of the Small Business Administration and head of a council representing inspectors general across the government, raised concerns about the legality of the removals, suggesting they may contravene federal law that mandates a 30-day notification to Congress before any such actions can occur.
“I recommend that you reach out to White House Counsel to discuss your intended course of action,” Ware stated in a letter obtained by PMG addressed to Sergio Gor, director of the White House Office of Presidential Personnel. “At this point, we do not believe the actions taken are legally sufficient to dismiss Presidentially Appointed, Senate Confirmed Inspectors General.”
Diana Shaw, a former acting inspector general at the State Department, described the firings as “the travesty we feared may be coming.”
“If legal, and I think that’s an open question under the law requiring 30-day congressional notification prior to the firing of an IG, it risks changing forever what we have historically valued most about IGs — their independence, objectivity, and non-partisanship,” Shaw remarked. “Without it, the function would be gutted of its greatest value and the entire system will suffer.”
Some advocates for inspectors general expressed confusion over the Trump administration's choices for dismissal. Notably, several of those removed were Trump appointees, and at least one, Sean O’Donnell at the EPA, was viewed by Democrats as having close ties to Trump, despite prior criticisms of his conduct.
Michael Horowitz, the Department of Justice's inspector general, has been a focal point for advocates due to his long tenure and the sensitive nature of his investigations. An Obama-era appointee who took office in 2012, Horowitz recently released sensitive reports about the Justice Department's attempts to access congressional staffers' and journalists' communications. He also faced scrutiny regarding his office's investigations into the FBI's management of its inquiries into Trump's 2016 campaign and classified information handling by Hillary Clinton.
While reports indicate that Horowitz appears to have remained in his position, a spokesperson for his office declined to comment on the dismissals.
This decisive action by Trump poses an early challenge for Congress, occurring less than a week after he resumed office, particularly for Sen. Chuck Grassley, known for advocating the independence of inspectors general. It illustrates the president's willingness to expand the boundaries of his authority as he works to dismantle what he and his supporters refer to as the “deep state.”
The dismissals also create pressure for Trump’s newly confirmed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, especially considering the dismissal of the Defense Department's inspector general. Hegseth previously assured Sen. Elizabeth Warren during the confirmation process of his commitment to safeguarding the independence of the DoD IG, as noted in a document reviewed by PMG.
While inspectors general are responsible for combatting waste, fraud, and abuse in government—a significant goal for Trump—he has historically viewed federal officials with suspicion, attributing delays in action during his first term to them. His early appointments show an emphasis on loyalty.
Nonetheless, even among Republicans, there is recognition of the essential role these watchdogs play in protecting taxpayer interests and checking the excesses of administrative power.
Grassley commented to PMG in November, advising against a broad ousting of inspectors general.
“I guess it’s the case of whether he believes in congressional oversight, because I work closely with all the inspector generals and I think I’ve got a good reputation for defending them. And I intend to defend them,” he stated.
On Saturday morning, Grassley took a more tempered stance, acknowledging that there “may be a good reason the IGs were fired” while expressing a desire for “further explanation” from Trump regarding the dismissals. He also pointed out that Congress was not granted the required 30-day notice.
The wave of firings sparked immediate backlash from several Democratic lawmakers.
Warren, in a post on X Saturday morning, accused Trump of “dismantling checks on his power and paving the way for widespread corruption.” Rep. Gerald Connolly, ranking member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, labeled the actions a “Friday night coup” and an “attack on transparency and accountability.”
“Replacing independent inspectors general with political hacks will harm every American who relies on social security, veterans benefits, and a fair hearing at IRS on refunds and audits,” Connolly added.
This purge evokes memories of Trump's 2020 actions when he abruptly removed several inspectors general in the midst of the Covid pandemic.
Nahal Toosi contributed to this report.
Sanya Singh contributed to this report for TROIB News
One source indicated that at least a dozen inspectors general were dismissed, including those at the departments of State, Agriculture, Interior, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Education, Labor, and Defense, along with the Small Business Administration, the U.S. Energy Corp., and the Environmental Protection Agency. These agencies manage vast portions of the federal government, overseeing billions in taxpayer funds and extensive global operations.
Inspectors general from the Department of Justice, the Office of Personnel Management, the Federal Communications Commission, the Export-Import Bank, and the Department of Homeland Security remain unaffected, as per the source.
Dismissals were conveyed through emails from the White House Presidential Personnel Office, without prior notification to lawmakers, who had expressed bipartisan support for the watchdogs. The emails did not provide substantial reasoning for the firings; one mentioned “changing priorities” as a justification, according to the source.
A senior White House official confirmed to PMG that “some” inspectors general had been terminated.
Hannibal Ware, the inspector general of the Small Business Administration and head of a council representing inspectors general across the government, raised concerns about the legality of the removals, suggesting they may contravene federal law that mandates a 30-day notification to Congress before any such actions can occur.
“I recommend that you reach out to White House Counsel to discuss your intended course of action,” Ware stated in a letter obtained by PMG addressed to Sergio Gor, director of the White House Office of Presidential Personnel. “At this point, we do not believe the actions taken are legally sufficient to dismiss Presidentially Appointed, Senate Confirmed Inspectors General.”
Diana Shaw, a former acting inspector general at the State Department, described the firings as “the travesty we feared may be coming.”
“If legal, and I think that’s an open question under the law requiring 30-day congressional notification prior to the firing of an IG, it risks changing forever what we have historically valued most about IGs — their independence, objectivity, and non-partisanship,” Shaw remarked. “Without it, the function would be gutted of its greatest value and the entire system will suffer.”
Some advocates for inspectors general expressed confusion over the Trump administration's choices for dismissal. Notably, several of those removed were Trump appointees, and at least one, Sean O’Donnell at the EPA, was viewed by Democrats as having close ties to Trump, despite prior criticisms of his conduct.
Michael Horowitz, the Department of Justice's inspector general, has been a focal point for advocates due to his long tenure and the sensitive nature of his investigations. An Obama-era appointee who took office in 2012, Horowitz recently released sensitive reports about the Justice Department's attempts to access congressional staffers' and journalists' communications. He also faced scrutiny regarding his office's investigations into the FBI's management of its inquiries into Trump's 2016 campaign and classified information handling by Hillary Clinton.
While reports indicate that Horowitz appears to have remained in his position, a spokesperson for his office declined to comment on the dismissals.
This decisive action by Trump poses an early challenge for Congress, occurring less than a week after he resumed office, particularly for Sen. Chuck Grassley, known for advocating the independence of inspectors general. It illustrates the president's willingness to expand the boundaries of his authority as he works to dismantle what he and his supporters refer to as the “deep state.”
The dismissals also create pressure for Trump’s newly confirmed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, especially considering the dismissal of the Defense Department's inspector general. Hegseth previously assured Sen. Elizabeth Warren during the confirmation process of his commitment to safeguarding the independence of the DoD IG, as noted in a document reviewed by PMG.
While inspectors general are responsible for combatting waste, fraud, and abuse in government—a significant goal for Trump—he has historically viewed federal officials with suspicion, attributing delays in action during his first term to them. His early appointments show an emphasis on loyalty.
Nonetheless, even among Republicans, there is recognition of the essential role these watchdogs play in protecting taxpayer interests and checking the excesses of administrative power.
Grassley commented to PMG in November, advising against a broad ousting of inspectors general.
“I guess it’s the case of whether he believes in congressional oversight, because I work closely with all the inspector generals and I think I’ve got a good reputation for defending them. And I intend to defend them,” he stated.
On Saturday morning, Grassley took a more tempered stance, acknowledging that there “may be a good reason the IGs were fired” while expressing a desire for “further explanation” from Trump regarding the dismissals. He also pointed out that Congress was not granted the required 30-day notice.
The wave of firings sparked immediate backlash from several Democratic lawmakers.
Warren, in a post on X Saturday morning, accused Trump of “dismantling checks on his power and paving the way for widespread corruption.” Rep. Gerald Connolly, ranking member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, labeled the actions a “Friday night coup” and an “attack on transparency and accountability.”
“Replacing independent inspectors general with political hacks will harm every American who relies on social security, veterans benefits, and a fair hearing at IRS on refunds and audits,” Connolly added.
This purge evokes memories of Trump's 2020 actions when he abruptly removed several inspectors general in the midst of the Covid pandemic.
Nahal Toosi contributed to this report.
Sanya Singh contributed to this report for TROIB News
