Trump ousts more than a dozen inspectors general in late night action

President Trump on Friday ousted several inspectors general within government agencies overnight, shaking up federal oversight just days after returning to the White House, an administration official confirmed to NewsNation.

Trump fired around 17 watchdogs at various agencies within the Defense Department, State Department, Energy Department, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and others. Those within the Pentagon, State Department and Transportation Department were notified of the termination over email, according to the Washington Post, which was the first to report on the firings.

A spokesperson from HUD confirmed to The Hill that Inspector General Rae Oliver Davis received notice Friday that her position was terminated.

The ouster of the independent inspectors may be in violation of the federal law as the president is required to give a 30-day notice to Congress of his intent, The Post noted.

“It’s a widespread massacre,” one of the fired inspectors told The Post. “Whoever Trump puts in now will be viewed as loyalists, and that undermines the entire system.”

Despite the firings, U.S. Inspector General Michael Horowitz — who works under the Department of Justice — was spared, The New York Times reported.

The independent watchdogs at these agencies are instructed to probe various allegations including abuse of power, fraud and waste. They can serve in multiple administrations.

Former President Biden fired the inspector general of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) Martin Dickman after a probe over a hostile work environment, The Hill reported in late March last year.

The Friday night reports have sparked backlash from Democrats on Capitol Hill.

“Trump’s Friday night coup to overthrow legally protected independent inspectors general is an attack on transparency and accountability, essential ingredients in our democratic form of government,” Ranking Member of House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) said in a Saturday morning statement.

“Replacing independent inspectors general with political hacks will harm every American who relies on social security, veterans' benefits and a fair hearing at IRS on refunds and audits,” he added.

Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee, also blasted Trump for the move.

“This midnight purge of inspector generals, including at the USDA, is alarming and unprecedented," Craig said in a statement. "While the president has the right to replace inspector generals, the late-night firing of these independent watchdogs not only violates the law but also hampers our ability to combat waste, fraud, and abuse and ensure programs are run as Congress intended, whether its disaster assistance for farmers or nutrition programs."

"These firings threaten to undermine public trust at a time when many hardworking Americans doubt whether government institutions are looking out for them and reinforce the perception that politicians get to play by a different set of rules," she added.

The move also comes after Trump has worked quickly to implement his agenda including a massive crackdown on immigration.

The Hill has reached out to several federal agencies for comment.

NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill.

Updated at 10:45 a.m. EST.

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