Trump's Late-Night Purge of Federal Inspectors General Sparks Bipartisan Outcry
President Donald Trump fired at least 12 federal inspectors general in a late-night purge on Friday, January 24, 2025, a move that has drawn bipartisan criticism and raised concerns about potential violations of federal law. The dismissals, which included inspectors general from key agencies such as the Departments of Defense, Education, and Health and Human Services, were carried out without the legally required 30-day notice to Congress or detailed explanations for the removals.
Trump defended the firings during a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One, calling it a “very common thing to do” and stating that he would replace the officials with “good people.” However, the move has been widely criticized as an attack on government transparency and accountability. Inspectors general are independent watchdogs tasked with rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse within federal agencies, and their removal without cause or proper procedure has alarmed lawmakers and watchdog groups.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) described the firings as a “chilling purge” and a “preview of the lawless approach” of the Trump administration. Even some Republicans, including Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), expressed confusion and concern over the dismissals, with Grassley noting that the 30-day notice required by law was not provided.
Hannibal Ware, the inspector general of the Small Business Administration and chair of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, argued that the firings were legally insufficient and threatened the independence of government oversight. He emphasized that inspectors general are meant to operate without political bias and that their removal without proper justification undermines their critical role.
The White House has not provided a detailed rationale for the firings, but the move aligns with Trump’s broader efforts to reshape the federal government during his second term. Among those spared in the purge was Michael Horowitz, the Justice Department inspector general, whom Trump praised for his 2019 report on the FBI’s handling of the Russia investigation.
The mass dismissals have sparked fears that Trump may replace the independent watchdogs with political loyalists, further eroding checks on executive power. Democrats and watchdog groups have warned that the firings could lead to increased corruption and abuse within federal agencies, with Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) calling the move a “coup to overthrow legally protected independent inspectors general.”
As the controversy unfolds, lawmakers are demanding answers from the Trump administration, while critics argue that the firings represent a significant threat to the integrity of government oversight.
Trump defends ousting at least 15 independent inspectors general in late-night purge
The dismissals appeared to violate federal law, which requires Congress to receive 30 days’ notice of any intent to fire a Senate-confirmed inspector
www.washingtonpost.com
Trump Fires at Least 12 Inspectors General in Late-Night Purge
The White House defied a law that requires giving Congress 30 days’ notice and detailed reasons before removing the watchdog officials.
www.nytimes.com
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Trump defends dismissal of dozen federal inspectors general - The Boston Globe
President Trump said that his sudden late-night purge of the independent officials was a very common thing to do.
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Trump purges at least a dozen inspectors general overnight
Democrats described Trump's late-night firing of the federal agency inspectors general as an 'attack on Democracy'.
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Collins: ‘I don’t understand’ Trump’s inspectors general firings
Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) said Saturday she didn’t understand why President Trump fired several departmental inspe
thehill.comTrump uses mass firing to remove independent inspectors general at a series of agencies
The sweeping action removes oversight of his new administration. Some members of Congress are suggesting it violated federal oversight laws.
apnews.com
Trump fires multiple federal inspectors general in overnight purge
Federal law requires the White House to give Congress a full month of warning and case-specific details before firing a federal inspector general.
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