By : Lloyd Mahachi
The Trump administration has fired at least a dozen federal watchdogs, including inspectors general from various departments, in a move that has sparked widespread outrage and concerns about legality.
The firings, which were reportedly carried out via email on Friday evening, have been described as a “chilling purge” by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Schumer expressed his concerns about the move, stating that it is a “preview of the lawless approach” Trump and his administration are taking.
The affected inspectors general include those from the Department of Health and Human Services, the Small Business Administration, and other agencies. These watchdogs play a crucial role in ensuring that federal agencies are operating efficiently and effectively.
The firings may be in breach of a law that requires the White House to give Congress 30-day notice and case-specific information before dismissing a federal inspector general. Hannibal Ware, the inspector general of the Small Business Administration, has written to the White House, suggesting that the dismissals were invalid.
Democrats have been quick to criticize the president for the move, with many expressing concerns about the impact on the independence of federal watchdogs. Gerry Connolly, a Virginia Democrat, called the firings a “Friday night coup” and an “attack on transparency and accountability”.
Some Republican lawmakers, including Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Senator Susan Collins of Maine, have also expressed concern over the purge. Collins stated that she doesn’t understand why the president would fire individuals whose mission is to root out waste, fraud, and abuse.
The Trump administration’s move has sparked concerns about the potential for abuse of power and the erosion of trust in federal institutions. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Trump administration will respond to the criticism and concerns raised by the firings.
The inspectors general who were fired will be replaced, but it is unclear who will fill the vacant positions. The Trump administration will need to nominate new inspectors general and submit them for Senate confirmation.
The firings have also raised concerns about the impact on the ongoing investigations into the Trump administration. The inspectors general who were fired were responsible for overseeing these investigations and ensuring that they were conducted fairly and impartially.
As the controversy surrounding the firings continues to grow, it is clear that the Trump administration’s move has sparked a major crisis of confidence in the federal government. The administration will need to take steps to address the concerns raised by the firings and restore trust in the independence and integrity of federal watchdogs.
Editor : Josephine Mahachi