President Trump summarily fired 17 federal inspectors general without explanation, violating the 1978 Inspector General Act. The mass firing targeted officials investigating key areas, including Defense Department IG Robert Storch (SpaceX compliance review) and Agriculture Department IG Phyllis Fong …
Donald TrumpSergio GorRobert StorchPhyllis FongLarry Turner+4 moreinspectors-generalwatchdog-purgemusk-investigationsoversight-destructionexecutive-power-abuse
The Biden administration maintained 14 Inspector General vacancies across federal agencies, with some positions unfilled for over 2,000 days, severely weakening government oversight. The Export-Import Bank IG position remained vacant since June 2014 (2,664 days), while Treasury’s IG spot was …
Joe BidenJoseph CuffariProject On Government OversightInspectors Generaloversightinspectors-generalgovernment-accountabilityinstitutional-weakness
Securing Inspector General Independence Act of 2022 enacted as part of NDAA, requiring 30-day advance notice to Congress before IG removal, limiting who can serve as Acting IG, and requiring explanation for failure to nominate replacement. Led by bipartisan coalition including Grassley, Peters, …
President Trump fired five inspectors general in six weeks during spring 2020, each investigating potential administration wrongdoing. The purge included State Department IG Steve Linick (investigating Pompeo’s use of staff for personal errands and Saudi arms sales), Intelligence Community IG …
Donald TrumpSteve LinickMichael AtkinsonGlenn FineMitch Behm+1 moreinspectors-generalobstruction-of-justiceoversightaccountabilityauthoritarian-tactics