Trump fires 17 inspectors general and blocks GAO access, hollowing out congressional oversight

A congressional oversight forum catalogued how Trump's January 24, 2025 mass firing of 17 inspectors general across federal agencies — without the 30-day notice to Congress required by law — combined with OMB Director Russell Vought's subsequent guidance questioning the Government Accountability Office's authority, had effectively dismantled the two primary mechanisms of congressional oversight of the executive branch. A federal judge later ruled the IG firings were unlawful but declined to reinstate the watchdogs, noting Trump could simply re-fire them after providing required notice.