On Friday night, President Trump fired several Inspectors General. At least 12. These independent inspectors are responsible “to detect and deter waste, fraud, abuse, and misconduct in the Department of Justice, and to promote economy and efficiency in the Department’s operations” according to the department of justice web page. Inspectors general do similar work across multiple departments in the government.
Many consider these firings to be illegal since 30 day notice to congress is required to fire an inspector general.
According to NBC News, “When asked why the inspectors general were fired, the official said the move was an effort by the president to let go of parts of the past Biden administration that don’t “align” with the new Trump administration.”
From The Hill – “‘I don’t understand why one would fire individuals whose mission it is to root out waste, fraud and abuse. This leaves a gap in what I know is a priority for President Trump. So I don’t understand it,’ Collins said while arriving at the Capitol for a Saturday morning vote.”
What is an inspector general?
For in-depth reporting see Politico and the Washington Post.
From WaPo – “The White House removed the independent inspectors general of nearly every Cabinet-level agency in an unprecedented purge that could clear the way for President Donald Trump to install loyalists in the crucial role of identifying fraud, waste and abuse in the government.”