The Trump administration purged at least a dozen federal inspectors general overnight Friday, multiple sources confirmed to CBS News. This is an unprecedented step and is likely to lead to legal problems.
President Trump told foreign reporters Saturday on Air Force One en route to Florida that the shooting was “standard” and “very common.”
But the U.S. Small Business Administration’s inspector general said the firings were legally questionable and would be challenged.
Hannibal “Mike” Ware was also among those fired. “We do not believe the actions taken are legally sufficient,” he argued in a letter to White House personnel officials obtained by CBS News on Saturday.
Ware said he and the other inspector generals were notified via email Friday by Presidential Personnel Director Sergio Gol that “due to a change in priorities, their positions as inspector general…are terminated immediately.”
“We do not believe this action is legally sufficient to remove the President-appointed and Senate-confirmed inspector general,” Ware said in the letter, asking Goh to serve as White House Counsel. He encouraged them to contact him to discuss the “intended course of action.”
Federal law requires the White House to give Congress a full month of warning and case-specific details before firing a federal inspector general.
Officials told CBS News that many of the inspectors general who were fired were appointed during the first Trump administration. Back in 2020, President Trump fired five inspectors general.
Mr. Ware, who is also chairman of the independent watchdog Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, said in a separate statement that the inspector general “is not immune to removal.” But he reiterated that unfair dismissal is a “serious threat” to a job.
“By mandating independence under the IG Act, Congress specifically established the IG’s authority and structure to protect its important oversight role,” he said. “An unlawful dismissal is a serious threat to the IG’s actual and perceived independence.”
Ware also noted that Congress recently amended the Inspector General Act to require the president to notify Congress at least 30 days before removing an inspector general and to provide “substantive grounds, including detailed case-specific reasons.” He also mentioned what he was requesting.
The White House has not commented on the layoffs.
Among those fired was Christie Grimm, inspector general of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CBS News confirmed.
Inspectors general are tasked with uncovering waste, fraud, abuse, and misconduct in federal agencies. They will be tasked with monitoring President Trump’s agencies and appointees.
Mark Greenblatt, who was nominated by Trump to be inspector general at the Interior Department during Trump’s first term, told CBS News in a phone interview Saturday that he was “stunned” when he received the notice.
When asked why Trump fired him and others, he said, “The most charitable interpretation is that he doesn’t believe in our independence or our impartiality. The least charitable interpretation is that he doesn’t believe in our independence or our impartiality. He wants his servants to rubber-stamp what he is going to do.” to do. ”
“That’s very strange,” Greenblatt added. “There’s no unifying theme as to why he chose this group of 17 people. To be honest, it doesn’t make any sense at all. It doesn’t make any sense. No one can understand what makes the list tick.”
Democratic Rep. Gerald Connolly of Virginia, ranking member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, called the inspector general’s firing “an attack on transparency and accountability, which are essential elements of a democratic form of government.” I called.
“Replacing the independent inspector general with a political hack will harm all Americans who rely on Social Security, veterans benefits, and fair hearings from the IRS regarding refunds and audits.”
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said in a statement Saturday that “there may be good reason why the IG was fired,” but that he wants further explanation from Trump.
“Nevertheless, the detailed 30-day takedown notice required by law was not provided to Congress,” he added.
In remarks on the Senate floor Saturday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., described the Trump administration’s actions as a “appalling purge” and said, “Donald Trump and his administration have gone too far. “This is a harbinger of lawless methods.” That often happens when he becomes president.”
“These firings are Donald Trump’s way of telling us that he fears accountability and is hostile to facts and transparency,” Schumer said. “The inspector general can be essential to maintaining government integrity.”
Nancy Cordes contributed to this report.
The first 100 days of the Trump administration
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