Why Donald Trump's Plan to Fire Government Watchdogs Might Not Work

President Donald Trump's firing of independent watchdogs of U.S. federal agencies could lead to "the weaponization of nonpartisan offices" New York State Inspector (IG) General Lucy Lang has told Newsweek.

Around a quarter of Inspectors General from federal agencies were dismissed last week, sparking criticism that it would pave the way for him to install loyalists for the non-partisan roles.

The White House has defended the dismissals saying they would "make room for qualified individuals who will uphold the rule of law and protect democracy."

But Lang said that federal IGs saved approximately $93.1 billion in 2023 and fears that efforts to investigate and audit waste, corruption and fraud, will be harmed.

Amid criticism that the terminations did not go through the 30-day notice period required by federal law, Lang said that the IGs should still turn up for work.

Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment by email.

Why it matters

Federal IGs oversee the arms of the federal government, conduct investigations and audit potential malfeasance, fraud, waste or abuse by a government agency or its staff. Critics say Trump's decision could eliminate independent oversight of the government and lead to corruption.

What to know

The White House Office of Presidential Personnel Agency emailed some IGs on January 24 informing them that "changing priorities" had led to their positions being "terminated" effective immediately, The Washington Post first reported.

Agencies within the Defense Department, State Department, Energy Department, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Department of Veterans Affairs were affected, according to reports.

The White House confirmed to Newsweek that some IGs had been let go without specifying how many. USA Today and other outlets said up to 18 had been dismissed from a total of more than 70.

"An inspector general's only agenda should be truth-telling and exposing fraud, corruption, waste and abuse," Lang told Newsweek.

President-appointed inspectors general can be fired by the president and inspectors general appointed by agency heads can be removed by the agencies that hired them.

But there must be a 30-day notice to Congress, according to the Congressional Research Service's Rules for the Removal of Inspectors General.

The firings have prompted concern from some GOP senators, including Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa who said Congress wasn't given the notice period required.

He has asked Trump to explain the lawfully required substantive rationale to share the names of each official who will serve in an interim capacity.

Lang said that the federal IGs should still show up for work because even if the termination letters being made public were considered notice to Congress, which she said is "a stretch", they still have 30 days before dismissals come into effect.

Also, the letters did not include the case-specific examples as required by statute, added Lang, who by law cannot be fired by the New York Governor as a protection of her ability to investigate the state's Executive Branch.

"There should be public outrage at this. This is coming at a great cost to American taxpayers and is undermining the deepest principles of our democracy," Lang said, adding that at the very least, the legal process should be followed.

Security agents escorted from her office Department of Agriculture IG Phyllis Fong, on Monday after she refused to comply with her firing because it did not follow proper protocols, Reuters reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Trump had told reporters on January 25 that he made the decision because "it's a very common thing to do," not all of them were removed, and "some people thought that some were unfair or were not doing the job," CNN reported.

What people are saying

The White House, according to Reuters: "These rogue, partisan bureaucrats...have been relieved of their duties in order to make room for qualified individuals who will uphold the rule of law and protect democracy."

President Donald Trump: Some people thought that some were unfair or some were not doing their job. It's a very standard thing to do."

New York State Inspector (IG) General Lucy Lang said: "The biggest concern for me is the weaponization of nonpartisan offices that are intended to serve the public regardless of which party is in the White House."

What happens next

Top Democrats from House committees have signed a joint letter to Trump defending the independence of IGs and that removing them without notifying Congress violates the law, suggesting that the furor will rumble on.

Meanwhile, it is unclear whom the Trump administration will appoint to replace the ousted watchdogs. The Washington Post reported they must be replaced in an acting role by someone who has been confirmed by the Senate or served in the watchdog community.