In a move that has stirred significant controversy, U.S. President Donald Trump fired 17 independent inspectors general across multiple government agencies late Friday night. Critics decried the action as illegal, with concerns raised by Democrats and even some Republicans.
Senator Adam Schiff, a long-time critic of Trump, labeled the dismissals as a blatant violation of federal law. “Trump wants no accountability for malfeasance in office,” Schiff stated on platform X. “He is refilling the swamp.”
According to sources, the inspectors general overseeing agencies such as State, Defense, and Transportation received termination notices via emails from the White House personnel director. The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency expressed doubts about the legality of the firings, emphasizing that the law mandates a 30-day advance notice with substantive reasons for such dismissals.
White House personnel director Sergio Gor cited “changing priorities” as the reason for the terminations, but Council Chair Hannibal Ware suggested that the actions lack sufficient legal grounding. “At this point, we do not believe the actions taken are legally sufficient to dismiss Presidentially Appointed, Senate Confirmed Inspectors General,” Ware said.
The White House has yet to comment on the matter.
Reference(s):
Trump's firing of independent watchdog officials draws criticism
cgtn.com
