Donald Trump fires at least 17 independent federal inspectors
The Trump administration sacked more than a dozen independent inspectors general at government agencies overnight on Friday in a bid to remove oversight of his new administration that some members of Congress say violates federal law. Internal government watchdogs are charged with preventing and detecting fraud, waste and abuse of power.
US President Donald Trump fired 17 independent watchdogs at multiple government agencies on Friday, a person with knowledge of the matter said, eliminating a critical oversight component and clearing the way to replace them with loyalists.
The inspectors general at agencies including the departments of state, defence and transportation were notified by emails from the White House personnel director that they had been terminated immediately, the source said on condition of anonymity.
The dismissals appeared to violate federal law, which requires the president to give both houses of Congress reasons for the dismissals 30 days in advance.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
An inspector general is an independent position that conducts audits and investigations into allegations of waste, fraud and abuse of power.
Read moreTrump threatens to withhold aid to Democrat-led California on US disaster zone visits
Read more on FRANCE 24 English
Read also:
In pictures: First deportation flights of Trump's presidency arrive in Latin America
US Senate narrowly confirms former Fox News co-host Pete Hegseth as Pentagon chief