Trump Fires Federal Watchdogs In Major Bureaucratic Overhaul

President Donald Trump has taken action to remove 17 inspectors general from multiple federal agencies, delivering on his promise to reduce bureaucratic resistance within the government. The dismissed officials were informed of their termination through an email sent Friday evening by the White House Presidential Personnel Office.

The inspectors general, tasked with overseeing operations and identifying inefficiencies, were let go from agencies such as the Department of Defense, Department of State and Department of Veterans Affairs. These positions are responsible for investigating potential fraud and misconduct within federal operations.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has raised concerns about the legality of the firings, pointing to a federal law that mandates a 30-day notice to Congress before an inspector general can be removed. Grassley requested further clarification from the administration regarding whether the law was followed.

Critics, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), claim that the dismissals undermine government accountability. Warren described the removals as an attempt to eliminate independent oversight and replace the watchdogs with individuals more aligned with Trump’s policies.

The administration has not commented on the specific reasons for the firings but has made it clear that reshaping the federal workforce is a priority. Over the past week, numerous personnel changes have taken place, with Trump seeking to fill key positions with those who support his agenda.

Notably, Michael Horowitz, the inspector general for the Department of Justice, was not included in the firings. Horowitz previously led an investigation into the FBI’s handling of surveillance warrants during the Russia probe.