President Donald Trump dismissed the inspectors general from over a dozen federal agencies during a purge on Friday night, as confirmed by a Trump administration official. This move sets the stage for him to appoint his own choices for these independent oversight positions.
Officials from various agency inspectors general received a late email on Friday from Sergio Gor, the head of the Office of Presidential Personnel at the White House. The email stated that their positions were being immediately terminated due to “changing priorities,” according to a source familiar with the situation.
This restructuring impacted a wide range of government sectors, including the State Department, Department of Energy, Department of the Interior, Department of Defense, and Department of Transportation.
Senator Susan Collins raised concerns about the terminations, pointing out that firing inspectors general contradicted Trump’s supposed aim of combatting corruption.
Collins, a Republican from Maine, remarked to the press, “I cannot comprehend the rationale behind removing individuals tasked with uncovering wasteful practices, dishonesty, and misuse. This creates a void in addressing matters that I know are a key focus for President Trump.”
Senator Mike Rounds said the president should have an opportunity to explain his decision.
“I honestly would just be guessing at this point as to what it what it actually entails. So I’ll wait and find out what that means in terms of other people stepping in. Are there deputies that step in? Was it specific to individuals? I just simply don’t have that information,” he said.
“I just heard about it just briefly this morning. I’m sure that there’ll be a discussion of it here, but I do not know what his logic was on it, and I do not know the reasoning. We’ll give him an opportunity to explain that,” the South Dakota Republican added.
Democrats slammed the dismissals, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calling the move “a chilling purge” and warning the firings could kick off “a golden age for abuse in government, and even corruption.”
