
Seventeen inspectors general were fired from their positions across various federal agencies Friday night as President Donald Trump took action to reshape the government and eliminate resistance to his policies. The terminated officials were informed via email by the White House Presidential Personnel Office.
Among those removed were inspectors at the Department of Defense, Department of State and Department of Veterans Affairs. These watchdogs, tasked with investigating fraud and misconduct, often operate independently from the administration they serve under.
NEW YORK TIMES:
Trump has fired 17 inspectors general in a late-night purge of the internal government watchdogs. pic.twitter.com/8CNIdpkxgh
— john jackson (@pvtjokerus) January 25, 2025
The sudden firings have led to pushback from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) expressed concern that the administration failed to follow the legal requirement of notifying Congress 30 days in advance before dismissing inspectors general. Grassley stated that the removals raise questions that need to be addressed.
Libs freaking out over Trump firing inspectors general
These are Biden-appointed officials
There’s nothing novel about replacing them with Trump appointees
It’d be crazy *not* to do this
Presidents should be able to fire every person in the executive branch other than the VP
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) January 25, 2025
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) criticized Trump’s actions, arguing that removing independent oversight officials undermines transparency and accountability. She claimed the firings were politically motivated and could erode public trust in federal institutions.
Trump fired 17 Inspector Generals from Various Federal Agencies https://t.co/Q7VnmhONzH pic.twitter.com/72xTC94kq1
— Guy Smith (@GuySmith1713057) January 25, 2025
Trump’s administration has made it clear that eliminating bureaucratic opposition is a top priority. Over the past week, the president has moved swiftly to implement his agenda, removing officials he believes hinder his plans for government reform.
🚨Trump Fires 17 Corrupt and Incompetent IGs🚨
In a Bold Move for Transparency and Accountability, President Trump Overhauls Federal Oversight by Immediately Removing Inspectors General from the Departments of Defense (DOD), State (DOS), Transportation (DOT), Veterans Affairs… pic.twitter.com/aXlyUjVKcf
— Jared Matthew Sewell (@JaredMSewell) January 25, 2025
While many inspectors general were removed, Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz, who led the review of the FBI’s handling of the Russia investigation, was not affected. Horowitz’s investigations exposed significant errors in the FBI’s FISA application process.
Never forget that the January 6 coverup committee was staffed by the former CIA Inspector General, and they advanced numerous false narratives.
President Trump should completely clean out CIA OIG! pic.twitter.com/22jeRU7khO
— 🇺🇸 (@FreeStateWill) December 5, 2024
These compromised IGs have failed miserably in their duties to rein in government corruption & abuse for years now. Good riddance.
Trump fires 17 inspectors general at federal agencies
The inspectors general at agencies including the departments of state, defense and… https://t.co/DEs8N98dSa pic.twitter.com/PUuMJSuSz8
— Prodigal (@ProdigalThe3rd) January 25, 2025
Obama: "We can secure our borders without tearing kids away from their parents."
The DHS Inspector General revealed today that 291,000 children who crossed the border illegally under Border Czar Kamala are unaccounted for. pic.twitter.com/lRJyOPcI6l
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) August 21, 2024