Trump fires at least 12 independent inspectors general: reports

President Donald Trump’s administration fired the independent inspectors general of more than a dozen major government agencies late on Friday, according to reports.

The agencies include the departments of defense, state, transportation, veterans affairs, housing and urban development, interior, and energy, Washington Post said, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter.

The New York Times said the purge affected 17 agencies but spared the Department of Justice inspector general, Michael Horowitz.

President Donald Trump waves as he exits Air Force One At Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on Jan. 24, 2025. AFP via Getty Images

The Washington Post said the firings “appeared to violate federal law, which requires Congress to receive 30 days’ notice of any intent to fire the inspectors general.”

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the reports.

An inspector general is an independent position that conducts audits, investigations and inspectors into allegations of waste, fraud and abuse. They can be removed by the president or the agency head, depending on who nominated or appointed them.

Most of those dismissed were appointees from Trump’s 2017-2021 first term, the Washington Post reporting, saying those affected had been notified by emails from the White House personnel director that they had been terminated effective immediately.