US President Donald Trump dismissed 17 independent inspectors from various federal agencies, clearing the way to appoint loyalists and removing a critical layer of oversight, according to sources.
The inspectors general, including those from the Departments of State, Defense, and Transportation, were informed via emails from the White House personnel director about their immediate termination. This action appears to violate federal law, which mandates that Congress must be given a 30-day notice with reasons for such dismissals.
The White House has yet to comment on the decision. Inspectors general are independent officials tasked with auditing and investigating allegations of waste, fraud, and abuse in government agencies.
Trump’s recent orders aim to reshape the federal bureaucracy, including scrapping diversity programs, rescinding job offers, and sidelining over 150 national security and foreign policy officials.
Notably, the Department of Justice’s inspector general, Michael Horowitz, was not included in Friday’s dismissals. The Washington Post, which first reported the story, noted that most of the terminated officials were appointees from Trump’s first term in office (2017–2021).
Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, criticized the move, calling it a “purge of independent watchdogs” and accusing Trump of paving the way for corruption. She posted on X, “President Trump is dismantling checks on his power.”
Sidney Powell, a former Trump lawyer and ally, defended the decision on X, claiming that most inspectors general are ineffective and protect institutions over citizens.
Inspectors general typically serve across multiple administrations, providing continuity and oversight regardless of the president in office. Trump had previously removed five inspectors general within two months in 2020, including one involved in his impeachment proceedings.
Last year, President Joe Biden dismissed the inspector general of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board after allegations of creating a hostile work environment. In 2022, Congress passed legislation to strengthen protections for inspectors general, making it more challenging for presidents to replace them and requiring detailed justifications for their removal.
