Trump fires at least 12 independent inspectors general, US media say
3 Min Read
The Trump administration abruptly dismisses inspectors general of at least 12 major federal agencies.
-
First Lady Melania Trump looks on as President Donald Trump speaks with reporters before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, on January 24, 2025, in Washington. (AP)
Late on Friday, US President Donald Trump's administration fired the independent inspectors general of more than a dozen major government agencies, the Washington Post reported, adding that the agencies include the Department of Defense, state, transportation, veterans affairs, housing and urban development, interior and energy.
According to the New York Times, the purge affected 17 agencies but spared the Department of Justice's inspector general, Michael Horowitz.
The firings were deemed a violation of federal law, which mandates providing Congress with a 30-day notice before dismissing inspectors general, according to The Washington Post.
Read next: Trump releases classified JFK, RFK, and MLK assassination files
An inspector general is an independent authority overseeing audits, investigations, and reviews of claims involving waste, fraud, and abuse. Their removal depends on the individual who nominated or appointed them, whether the president or the head of the agency.
According to The Washington Post, most of those dismissed were appointees from Trump’s first term (2017–2021). The report noted that the individuals were informed of their immediate termination through emails sent by the White House personnel director.
Trump seeks to shut down Pentagon office focused on civilian safety
After taking office, Trump has been making changes and shifts, the latest of which includes a potential shift in how the US approaches civilian safety during military operations, according to The Washington Post.
Established in 2023 in response to high civilian death tolls, particularly during the "fight" against ISIS, the office was tasked with reducing harm to noncombatants. Reforms initiated by Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. led to its creation, and under President Biden, its efforts expanded to include embedding civilian protection specialists in operations centers, improving training programs, and refining data collection on civilian casualties.
According to WashPo, the center, staffed by 30 experts with a $7 million annual budget, "plays a role in advising battlefield commanders on minimizing civilian harm."
Despite its importance, the Army is drafting a proposal to defund and potentially dissolve the office, with a decision deadline of February 21. While closing the office, which was mandated by law, would require congressional approval, military leaders could effectively sideline it by reallocating funding or personnel.
This potential closure coincides with significant ongoing debates about civilian casualties caused by US military operations.
