Trump Fires Veteran Inspector General Who Refused to Leave Claiming Her Termination was Illegal
Phyllis Fong, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Inspector General with over two decades of service, was escorted from her office after refusing to comply with President Donald Trump’s directive to terminate her employment.
Fong, appointed in 2002, had been a steadfast figure in overseeing the department’s integrity and operations.
Fong informed her colleagues via email that she intended to remain in her position, challenging the administration’s authority to dismiss her without adhering to established protocols.
She emphasized that the termination notice did not align with legal requirements and, therefore, was ineffective.
Despite her objections, Daily Mail reported that security personnel escorted her out of the USDA headquarters on Monday, marking the end of her tenure.
This incident is part of a broader pattern, with multiple federal inspectors general recently dismissed.
The White House has not publicly detailed the reasons behind these terminations, leading to what the Washington Post has described as bipartisan concerns over potential violations of federal laws mandating a 30-day notice to Congress before such actions.
“These rogue, partisan bureaucrats… have been relieved of their duties in order to make room for qualified individuals who will uphold the rule of law and protect Democracy,” the White House defended.
The abrupt dismissals have raised alarms about the erosion of independent oversight within federal agencies.
The White House defended the firings, stating that the removal of these officials was necessary to appoint qualified individuals committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting democracy.
Critics, however, argue that such actions undermine the foundational checks and balances designed to prevent misuse of power and ensure accountability within the government.
Daily Mail noted that Fong’s role as Inspector General encompassed a wide range of responsibilities, including audits, investigations and ensuring consumer food safety.
Her office had notably been actively involved in addressing concerns related to avian influenza outbreaks affecting livestock and poultry, as well as investigating Elon Musk’s brain implant startup, Neuralink.
This investigation remains ongoing, highlighting the critical nature of the Inspector General’s work in safeguarding public interests.
The recent wave of terminations has not been limited to the USDA.
Inspectors general from the departments of defense, state, transportation, veterans affairs, housing and urban development, interior and energy have also been dismissed.
This sweeping action highlighted by Daily Mail has prompted lawmakers from both parties to demand explanations and express apprehension about the potential compromise of governmental oversight mechanisms.
The outlet further noted that Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) have called upon President Trump to provide detailed justifications for each firing, emphasizing the legal requirement for transparency in such decisions. They stress that while the president has the authority to remove inspectors general, adherence to established protocols is essential to maintain trust in governmental operations.
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