A group of 39 U.S. senators, led by Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), has called on President Donald Trump to reinstate the Inspectors General (IGs) who were recently removed from their positions across multiple federal agencies. The senators argue that the removals violated the Inspector General Independence and Empowerment Act, which requires a 30-day notice and substantive rationale for such actions.
In a letter to President Trump, the senators expressed concern over the abrupt removal of IGs from at least 18 departments and agencies, including the Departments of Defense, State, Education, Transportation, Veterans Affairs, and others.
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The letter emphasized the critical role IGs play in providing independent oversight of federal programs, identifying waste, fraud, and abuse, and ensuring the efficient use of taxpayer dollars.
The Inspector General Independence and Empowerment Act, signed into law in 2022, mandates that the President provide Congress with a 30-day notice and a detailed, case-specific rationale before removing an Inspector General. According to the senators, President Trump failed to meet these requirements, leaving Congress without the necessary information to assess the removals.
“Removing these non-partisan watchdogs without providing a substantive and non-political reason is not lawful and undermines their independence,” the senators wrote. “These officials, which include those appointed by Presidents of both parties, collectively conduct oversight of trillions of dollars of federal spending and the conduct of millions of federal employees.”
Inspectors General are tasked with ensuring accountability and transparency within federal agencies. Their work has led to significant recoveries of taxpayer funds and improvements in government operations. The senators highlighted the importance of maintaining IG independence to preserve the integrity of their oversight functions.
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“IG independence is the foundation of this work, and IGs must be free of political influence so that they can carry out their important mission with integrity and credibility,” the letter stated. “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.”
The senators pointed to recent actions by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as an example of the need for robust oversight. Earlier this week, the OMB issued a memo directing agencies to pause nearly all federal grants and loans, a move the senators described as “unconstitutional and unprecedented.” They argued that independent IGs are essential to overseeing the impacts of such directives and ensuring that federal programs operate effectively.
The senators urged President Trump to reinstate the removed IGs immediately, pending compliance with the legal requirements for their removal. They also noted that if any IG is placed on administrative leave before the 30-day notice period expires, the President must provide Congress with a separate notification explaining the specific threat posed by the IG, as defined by the Administrative Leave Act.
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“Because your actions violated the law, these Inspectors General should be reinstated immediately,” the letter concluded. “Until such time as you have provided in writing the substantive rationale, including detailed and case-specific reasons for each of the affected Inspectors General, and the 30-day notice period has expired.”
The letter was signed by a bipartisan group of senators, reflecting widespread concern over the issue. Among the signatories were Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), among others.
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