Ware said the 1978 Inspector General Act requires the president to notify Congress at least 30 days before an inspector’s dismissal.
President Donald Trump has reportedly overruled at least 12 inspector generals, commonly designated watchdogs who oversee government agencies.
“I am writing in response to your email and what was sent tonight to other Inspector Generals: “Due to changing priorities, your position as Inspector General…will be terminated effective immediately.” We have notified each of us,” Ware wrote. In a letter to Gor.
“At this point, the Senate does not believe that the action taken is legally sufficient to overrule the presidential appointment,” Ware wrote.
Ware requires the President to notify Congress at least 30 days in advance of an inspector’s dismissal, including the “substantive basis, including details and case-specific reasons” for such termination. He said it was necessary to provide.
Ware was confirmed to his role by the Senate in 2018. In 2024, President Joe Biden appointed Ware to lead the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General. Ware’s eligibility to serve in the latter acting role, Senate confirmation, expired on January 24th.
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It is unclear which inspectors were told by the White House that they were being fired.
The White House has not confirmed the termination and did not respond to requests for comment from Epoch. Inquiries sent to Ware asking what action Cigie was taking were also not returned.
Congress created the Office of Inspector General as part of Watergate-era reforms following the administration of President Richard Nixon. The inspector general’s role is to independently audit, inspect, and investigate government agencies to ensure accountability.
According to the Government Accountability Office, there are currently 57 inspector generals appointed by generals, 29 appointed by the president, another 28 appointed by senators, and another 28 appointed by senators. I am.
Reports of the layoffs prompted a number of critical reactions on the part of Democratic lawmakers.
“Yesterday, in the dark of night, President Trump fired at least 12 independent inspectors general at critical federal agencies across his administration,” Sen. Chuck Schumer (D.N.Y.) said in January. He spoke on the Senate floor on the 25th.
Schumer called it a “cold purge” and added that the firings appear to violate federal law.
Trump supporters and lawyers respond to Warren’s criticism. Sidney Powell defended the termination.
In 2022, Congress strengthened protections for inspectors general, restricted presidential authorities from replacing them, and required detailed justification for their removal.
