Understanding Trump's Mass Firing of Inspectors General, AKA Agency Watchdogs: Should We Be Concerned?
In trying to understand recent events affecting our government's oversight system, I've been reviewing the mass firing of Inspectors General that occurred on January 25th. Here's what I've learned and why I think it matters. What Happened According to multiple news sources, including the Associated Press and NBC News, the Trump administration fired approximately 17(18? this is inconsistent in the news articles) Inspectors General across various federal agencies in a single night. These officials serve as independent watchdogs within government agencies, investigating waste, fraud, and abuse. What I've Learned About Inspectors General I didn't know much about Inspectors General before this, but my research shows they were created after Watergate as a way to prevent government misconduct. They're supposed to be nonpartisan positions - while presidents can appoint them, they're expected to serve administrations of both parties and operate independentl...