Independent government oversight is dying

When the autopsy is conducted, the time of death for independent oversight of government agencies will be noted as 7:48 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025.

That was when 17 inspectors general — presidentially appointed and Senate confirmed — across the federal government were sacked from their positions in the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services, Veterans Affairs and more than a dozen other agencies due to “changing priorities.”

Apart from questions about procedural legality, the dismissals sent a chilling message to federal inspectors general across government: The more than 45 years of bipartisan support for independent oversight — oversight that has demonstrably improved government services and saved billions of taxpayer dollars — may be coming to an end.

Inspectors general work inside federal agencies to improve government efficiency and effectiveness through audits, inspections and investigations. But in order to speak hard truths to leaders about agency shortcomings, they rely on their authorities under the Inspector General Act of 1978. That law grants them independence from their agency head, financial independence through a separate appropriation, access to all agency information and personnel and an ability to review any issue they choose. And, at least in the past, they relied on strong support from Congress.

The civilian inspector general concept was derived in part from the military, where an inspector general provided an independent review of troop readiness. Over the last four decades, the number of inspectors general expanded from the original 12 to 74, and they operate within agencies large and small as independent units to combat waste, fraud and abuse. Half the inspectors general, those in the Cabinet departments and larger agencies, are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate, while the other half are appointed by agency heads. Apart from the first presidential transition in 1980 after passage of the Inspector General Act, inspectors general have been recognized as apolitical professionals who were not required to submit their resignations during changes in administrations.

I worked as an inspector general at two different agencies and as deputy inspector general at a third. Our offices relied on these statutory authorities to deliver unsolicited and at times unpopular findings — like when we reported that the cost for a mobile platform needed to launch NASA’s next-generation rocket, first estimated at less than $400 million, had ballooned to more than $1.2 billion. Bechtel, the prime contractor on the project, likely did not want to read about its project management failures in a public inspector general audit. Nor did NASA leadership.

But Congress needed this information to help it conduct effective oversight and pressure agency leaders to improve their management of the project. In the aftermath of the Trump administration’s widespread firings, however, inspectors general may be hesitant to issue unflattering findings about agency programs — a dynamic that cuts to the core of the job.

Which brings us back to the state of independent, evidence-based oversight of federal agencies. Since the January terminations, Congress has largely absented itself from the conversation about the role inspectors general play in reviewing government programs. This failure to meaningfully defend the oversight system that Congress itself created will redound to its detriment now and in the future. In the short term, inspectors general — unsure of congressional receptivity to critical findings — may be hesitant to undertake such oversight or, if they do, may temper their message from the full-throated way the facts would otherwise dictate.

In the longer term, the nation may have crossed a threshold to a new era in which every incoming administration replaces inspectors general with candidates of their choosing — a world in which each attorney general or secretary of the Treasury gets to hire his or her own inspector general.

But if the new litmus test is whether inspectors general embrace a particular administration’s governing philosophy or policy priorities, then we have lost a proven, professional and apolitical tool to inform Congress and the public about the effectiveness of their investments in federal government programs. And that is a great loss.

Paul K. Martin served for more than 25 years in the federal oversight community as inspector general at USAID and NASA and deputy inspector general at the Department of Justice. He was fired by email on Feb. 11, 2025.

Topics

"Dismantling" independent oversight in D.C.

In its purge of federal employees, the Trump administration has fired independent inspectors general, heads of government watchdog agencies, and everyday civil servants. Here's why so many ...
CBS News - 2d
Watchdogs fired by Trump raise alarms over future of independent oversight

President Trump has fired several independent government watchdogs. They're now sharing warnings about what it could mean for federal oversight.
CBS News - 2d
3 warning signs about the future of government oversight

Taken together, these three elements will show the American public whether the Trump administration is serious about federal oversight.
The Hill - 23h
What America is losing as Trump fires independent government watchdogs

President Trump has fired heads of offices and agencies tasked, since Watergate, with protecting federal workers and whistleblowers. Scott Pelley reports on what's happening to independent watchdogs.
CBS News - 2d
Greenland's opposition wins election dominated by independence and Trump

The Democrats party wants a gradual move to independence but the second-placed party is keen to speed it up.
BBC News - 5h
Greenland voting underway with Trump, independence in headlines

Greenland's national election will determine control of its parliament, with the ruling Inatsisartut party supporting independence and Trump suggesting the U.S. should take control of the island.
The Hill - 1d
3/9/2025: Firing the Watchdogs; The Settlement; A Method to this Madness

First, a report on the significance of President Trump firing independent government watchdogs. Then, a look inside the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy case. And, Dan Hurley: The 60 Minutes Interview.
CBS News - 2d
Nebraska Legislature approves measure classifying gig economy workers as independent contractors

The Nebraska Legislature has approved a measure classifying some gig economy workers as independent contractors, according to its website. L.B. 229, introduced by state Sen. Bob Hallstrom, was ...
The Hill - 22h
Greenland caught in a love triangle between the U.S., Denmark and independence as election takes place

Greenlanders go the polls Tuesday in a pivotal election in which independence from Denmark is a key theme — as well as Trump's ambitions to 'own' the island.
CNBC - 1d
Greenland independence debate ‘on steroids’ ahead of election

Donald Trump’s threats to take the territory have divided parliamentary candidates over the future of Danish rule
Financial Times - 2d
Greenland party favouring gradual independence wins election

Incumbent coalition defeated in polls dominated by Donald Trump’s threat to seize Arctic island
Financial Times - 10h
Judges raise concerns about threats to independence amid GOP criticism

Elon Musk has accused some federal judges of being "evil" and said they should be fired after issuing preliminary decisions against the Trump administration.
CBS News - 21h
Musk Doesn’t Understand Why Government Matters

If a business fails, it’s not a big deal. When government services break down, people can die.
The New York Times - 4d
DOGE Is Putting Major Government Efficiency Projects at Risk

In its apparent quest to cut government spending and improve efficiency, DOGE has fired entire tech teams devoted to those very things.
Wired - 4d
Details on House GOP bill to avoid government shutdown

House Republicans are expected to vote on a stopgap measure to prevent a government shutdown this week. CBS News congressional correspondent Caitlin Huey-Burns reports.
CBS News - 2d
How House Republicans plan to keep the government funded

President Trump is endorsing a House Republican plan to keep the government funded until September through a continuing resolution. CBS News' Taurean Small reports.
CBS News - 2d
Government shutdown looms amid budget showdown in Congress

Congress is staring down a deadline to fund the government by the end of the week, as the familiar threat of a shutdown looms over Washington. Nikole Killion explains.
CBS News - 1d
Arellano: They just started a Spanish-language magazine for L.A. In 2025. Why?

El Clasificado, the largest Spanish-language weekly in the United States, has started a new lifestyle magazine in an era where many print publication are dying.
Los Angeles Times - 1d
Young people who aspired to government service dismayed by end of fellows program

Young people who aspired to federal government service are dismayed by President Donald Trump ending a program created to entice highly qualified workers to join the government
ABC News - 2d
3 groups to watch in the final push to fund the government

The government will shut down next Saturday morning unless Congress can rally around a funding measure by the end of the week, setting up the first big legislative spending fight of President ...
The Hill - 4d
These Republicans may vote against plan to fund the government

Republican Kentucky lawmakers Thomas Massie and Rand Paul may oppose the plan to pass a continuing resolution as a stopgap to fund the government until September. This comes as President Trump ...
CBS News - 1d
Elon Musk Has Wanted the Government Shutdown

Sources tell WIRED that Elon Musk has wanted a government shutdown in part because it would potentially make it easier to eliminate the jobs of hundreds of thousands of federal workers.
Wired - 1d
House Republicans pass bill to avert government shutdown

The House on Tuesday passed a funding bill to avert an end-of-the-week government shutdown, teeing up the measure for consideration in the Senate. The chamber cleared the continuing resolution (CR) ...
The Hill - 19h
Democrats Demand Answers on DOGE’s Use of AI

Members of the House Oversight Committee sent dozens of requests to federal agencies on Wednesday about their use of AI software—and how Elon Musk could benefit.
Wired - 2h
House Republicans unveil spending plan with government shutdown deadline set for Friday

Republicans in the House released a stopgap spending plan over the weekend that would delay a government shutdown for at least six months, but it's unclear if they have the votes to pass the ...
CBS News - 2d
Speaker Johnson unveils bill to avert government shutdown

House Speaker Mike Johnson has unveiled a new short-term funding bill that would avert a potential government shutdown. In order for the bill to pass, it must have bipartisan support. NBC’s Yamiche ...
NBC News - 3d
No DOGE, No Deal: A Battle Over Elon Musk’s Team Risks a Government Shutdown

The government is headed toward a shutdown unless a deal is reached by March 14. And disagreements over DOGE may be the biggest roadblock.
Inc. - 4d
GOP-led Congress races to avert government shutdown ahead of Friday deadline

The path to averting a government shutdown at the end of the week remains murky in the Republican-controlled Congress.
NBC News - 1d
House to vote on government funding bill as shutdown deadline approaches

The House is expected to vote Tuesday on a stopgap measure to keep the government funded through September, days before Friday's shutdown deadline.
CBS News - 1d
In a big step for Syria, U.S.-backed Kurdish forces will merge with government army

The Kurdish-led coalition that with U.S. troops fought Islamic State, will integrate with the Syrian government forces previously affiliated with Al Qaeda.
NBC News - 1d
UK helped Ukraine and US reach ceasefire deal, government sources say

Sir Keir Starmer led European efforts to mend Trump-Zelensky relationship, UK government sources tell the BBC.
BBC News - 7h
US to require Canadians in America for over 30 days to register with government

Canadians in the U.S. for 30 days or longer will soon have to register their information with the U.S. government, according to a notice obtained by ABC News.
ABC News - 45m
Watch live: House votes on bill to avert government shutdown

House Republicans are racing to pass their bill by 11:59 p.m. EDT Friday to avert a government shutdown, teeing up a final vote on the legislation Tuesday afternoon. The chamber voted 216-214 to ...
The Hill - 21h
House votes to avoid government shutdown by passing temporary spending bill

The House of Representatives has passed a short-term funding bill to avert a government shutdown. The stopgap bill funds the government until Sept. 30. The measure increases defense spending by $6 ...
CBS News - 18h
Congressional Republicans unveil spending plan to avert government shutdown

Congressional Republicans unveiled their plan for a spending bill to avert a government shutdown as the deadline approaches this Friday. NBC News’ Yamiche Alcindor reports.
NBC News - 2d
Portugal’s government looks set to lose a confidence vote, triggering an election

Portugal’s minority government is in danger of falling as parliament prepares to vote on a confidence motion, with an overwhelming majority of opposition lawmakers saying they will choose to oust ...
ABC News - 1d
Manchester United Pitches New Stadium as Key to Government Growth Plan

Jim Ratcliffe, the billionaire co-owner of the soccer club, framed plans for the 100,000-seat venue as crucial to the British government’s plan to revive the northern English city.
The New York Times - 18h
Austria's new government is stopping family reunions immediately for migrants

The new Austrian government says it has decided to immediately stop family reunion procedures for migrants because the country is no longer able to absorb newcomers adequately
ABC News - 4h
6 in 10 say Musk lacks experience, judgment to change government: Survey

Elon Musk, a key political ally of President Trump, is viewed negatively by most Americans and they question his qualifications to overhaul the federal government, according to a new poll.
The Hill - 58m