2025 dismissals of U.S. inspectors general

Inspectors general (IGs) serve as independent watchdogs within federal agencies, tasked with investigating allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse. Their roles are to maintain transparency and accountability within government operations. These officials are appointed to serve across different administrations and are protected under federal law, which requires the president to provide a 30-day notice to Congress before any dismissal. , there were 72 statutory IGs. == The firings ==

On the night of January 24, 2025, Trump announced the immediate firing of at least 17 inspectors general, including those of the Department of Defense, State Department, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Energy, and Department of Transportation. According to reports, the inspectors general were notified of their termination via email, citing "changing priorities" as the reason for their dismissal. • Mark Greenblatt, IG for DOI • Rae Oliver Davis, Inspector General of HUD, was confirmed to have been terminated • Robert Storch, Inspector General of the Department of Defense • Paul K. Martin, IG for USAID (fired February 11, 2025) The Department of Justice Inspector General, Michael Horowitz, former CIGIE chair, and Department of Homeland Security Inspector General, Joseph Cuffari, were reportedly not among those fired. == Legality ==

Federal law mandates a 30-day notice to Congress before removing an inspector general. On September 24, 2025, federal judge Ana C. Reyes ruled that the administration unlawfully fired 17 inspectors general, but refused to reinstate them, saying that Trump would likely re-fire them after providing a congressionally mandated 30 days' notice. == Reactions ==

House Democrats condemned the firings in a letter to Trump, characterizing them as an "attack on transparency and accountability". Representative Gerry Connolly, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, described the action as a "Friday night coup," further stating that it undermines public trust in government institutions. This company had allegedly mistreated dozens of test monkeys that later had to be euthanized. "Musk misled investors about the safety and marketability of the company's device" said Ryan Merkley, director of research advocacy with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. The non-profit was the originator of the complaint to the USDA and of a second complaint to the Securities Exchange Commission. The SEC was also conducting an investigation into Neuralink as of the change of leadership in January 2025. ==See also==