Trump fires multiple federal inspectors general in overnight purge
The Trump administration purged at least a dozen federal inspectors general Friday night, multiple sources confirmed to CBS News. It’s an unprecedented move that could lead to legal challenges.
In a letter to White House personnel officials obtained by CBS News on Saturday, the Small Business Administration’s inspector general said the firings were legally questionable and would be challenged.
In the letter, Hannibal “Mike” Weir, one of those fired, argued that he “did not believe the actions taken were legally sufficient.”
According to Ware, he and the other inspectors general received an email on Friday from Sergio Gore, the director of presidential personnel, informing them that “due to a change in priorities, your inspector general’s position… is being terminated.” , effective immediately.”
In the letter, Ware recommended that Gore contact White House counsel to discuss “anticipated courses of action” because “we do not believe the actions taken are legally sufficient to terminate the president-appointed, Senate-confirmed inspector general.”
Federal law requires the White House to give Congress a full month’s warning and details of specific cases before firing a federal inspector general.
A source told CBS News that the fired inspectors general include many appointed during Trump’s first administration.
Ware, who also chairs the independent watchdog’s Commission of Inspectors General for Integrity and Effectiveness, said in a separate statement that the inspector general is not “immune from removal.” However, he also said unreasonable redundancies posed a “significant threat” to the jobs they were supposed to do.
He said: “Congress has specially established the authority and structure of the inspection team, and stipulated the independence of the inspection team through the Inspection Team Act to ensure its important supervisory role.” “Removal that does not comply with the law has a negative impact on the actual and perceived reality of the inspector general.” poses a significant threat to independence.”
Ware also noted that Congress recently amended the Inspector General Act to require the president to notify Congress 30 days before removing an inspector general and to provide “substantial justification, including detailed and specific reasons.”
The White House has not commented on the firings.
CBS News confirmed that U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General Christy Greene was among those fired.
Inspectors general are tasked with uncovering waste, fraud, abuse and misconduct in federal agencies. They are tasked with overseeing President Trump’s agencies and appointees.
Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-Va., ranking member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, called the firing of the inspector general “an attack on the transparency and accountability that are fundamental to our democratic form of government.” elements”.
“Replacing an independent inspector general with a political hack will hurt every American who relies on Social Security, veterans’ benefits, and IRS Fair Hearing refunds and audits.”
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said in a statement on Saturday that while “there may be good reasons for the inspector general’s firing,” he hoped Mr. Trump would go further. explain.
“In any event, the detailed 30-day eviction notice required by law was not submitted to Congress,” he added.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), speaking on the Senate floor on Saturday, described the Trump administration’s actions as a “chilling purge” and called it a “chilling purge” of “Donald Trump and… a preview of the illegal tactics adopted by his government.” Often when he becomes president. “
“With these firings, Donald Trump is telling us that he is afraid of accountability and hostile to facts and transparency,” Schumer said. “Inspectors general are critical to keeping government honest.”
