Trump fires 17 inspectors general across federal agencies in mass purge

On his first night back in office, President Trump fired at least 17 Senate-confirmed inspectors general across federal agencies including Defense, State, and Transportation by email, without the 30-day congressional notice required by federal law. Several fired IGs sued in federal court. The mass purge removed independent watchdogs who had documented cabinet ethics violations, fraud, and waste during Trump's first term and set a precedent for removing oversight officials without cause.