TRUMP FIRES 17 INSPECTORS GENERALS in a late-night purge punctuating the end of his first five days in office. @RealDonaldTrump dismissed 17 federal agency watchdogs. I’ve covered these IGs for years — and trust me when I say, even though they are charged with ferreting out waste and abuse, many have long histories of WHITEWASHING reports and playing politics with complaints – I have personal experience reporting on @DoD and @USAID and @DHS IG misconduct. The @DHS IG I reported on roughly a decade ago ended up getting fired.
Among those spared Friday is current Department of Homeland Security Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari Jr., who is conducting multiple investigations into the @SecretService failures that led to two assassination attempts on President Trump’s life. Cuffari Jr. is a Trump appointee from his first term who has faced more than his fair share of liberal attacks and lawfare.
Also spared:
Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz remained unaffected. The move follows Trump’s past efforts, including firing whistle-blower-linked Inspector General Michael Atkinson during his first impeachment trial.
Source: Washington Post and New York Times
‼️‼️TRUMP FIRES 17 INSPECTORS GENERALS in a late-night purge punctuating the end of his first five days in office. @RealDonaldTrump dismissed 17 federal agency watchdogs. I’ve covered these IGs for years — and trust me when I say, even though they are charged with ferreting out… pic.twitter.com/ILwBW2NRxY
— Susan Crabtree (@susancrabtree) January 25, 2025
A group representing federal inspectors general released a letter addressed to the White House rejecting as unlawful President Trump’s mass firing of over a dozen IGs Friday night. The letter was signed by one of the IGs fired by Trump, Mike Ware, who lectured the White House to consult with legal counsel.
The letter cited a law of dubious constitutionality passed by a Democrat-led Congress in 2022 mandating IGs can only be fired when Congress is given thirty days notification of the reasons. Inspectors general are appointed by presidents, subject to Senate confirmation, and are executive branch employees.
Politico reported at least one inspector general plans to report to work Monday (excerpt):
…At least one of the fired inspectors general — the State Department’s Cardell Richardson Sr. — has told staff he plans to show up to work on Monday, arguing that the firings are illegal, according to a person familiar with the situation who requested anonymity to reveal the internal discussions…