Senators: “Removing these non-partisan watchdogs without providing a substantive and non-political reason is not lawful…”
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and 39 of his Senate colleagues wrote to President Donald Trump strongly condemning his recent decision to remove Inspectors General (IGs) from at least 18 government agencies and called on the President to immediately reinstate the officials.
“The federal government and the American people count on these officials to operate in a professional and non-partisan way to hold our government accountable – regardless of who is in power,” wrote the senators. “Without strong, qualified and independent officials to lead these critical efforts, the Administration risks wasting taxpayer dollars, and allowing fraud and misconduct to go unchecked.”
IGs provide independent oversight of federal programs and play a key role in improving government efficiency and effectiveness. President Trump removed IGs from at least 18 departments and agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Health and Human Services.
According to the Inspector General Independence and Empowerment Act, which was signed into law in 2022, the President is required to provide a 30-day notice and substantive reasons for removal in writing to Congress before an Inspector General can be removed. President Trump failed to alert Congress or provide substantive reasoning.
“These officials, which include those appointed by Presidents of both parties, including many during your first Administration, collectively conduct oversight of trillions of dollars of federal spending and the conduct of millions of federal employees,” continued the senators. “Removing these non-partisan watchdogs without providing a substantive and non-political reason is not lawful, and undermines their independence, jeopardizing their critical mission to identify and root out waste, fraud, and abuse within federal programs.”
Full text of the letter available HERE.
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