The recent wave of terminations ordered by President Donald Trump, involving 17 inspectors general—including key figures overseeing the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs—has raised alarms among advocates for government accountability and transparency.
The future of these oversight positions is now uncertain, leading to concerns about possible declines in accountability in the months ahead.
Concerns Over Legalities and Oversight
Questions about the legality of these dismissals have come to light, particularly from the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.
The council’s chairman, Hannibal Ware, pointed out that federal rules dictate a mandatory 30-day notice before any inspector general can be removed.
He stressed that while terminating inspectors general is permitted, it must follow legal protocols to guarantee their independence in monitoring government actions.
The council has signaled its intent to explore legal avenues regarding these dismissals.
Meanwhile, Mark Greenblatt, Inspector General for the Department of the Interior, reported having restricted access to his office.
After serving for over five years without incident, he expressed concerns about the trajectory of his work.
Reactions from Lawmakers and Advocates
In response to the backlash, Trump defended his stance, insisting that appointing new personnel is a routine part of achieving his administration’s goals.
He contended that these personnel changes are standard and well within his authority.
However, a significant number of lawmakers have voiced their strong disapproval of the recent dismissals.
Notably, Mike Missal, the VA Inspector General, has held his position since 2016, weathering three different presidential administrations and issuing critical assessments about the VA’s performance during both the Trump and Biden administrations.
Critics, including Mark Takano, the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee’s ranking member, cautioned that Trump’s appointments could undermine the independence necessary for effective scrutiny of the VA, risking retaliation for those opposing the administration and hindering investigations into potential misconduct involving Trump and his allies.
Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee ranking member Richard Blumenthal also expressed worry that the removal of the VA Inspector General jeopardizes the safeguards against corruption and abuse within the department.
He emphasized that the inspector general’s oversight role is vital for protecting veterans’ interests.
Ongoing Investigations and Future Leadership
During a recent confirmation hearing for Doug Collins as the new Secretary of the VA, Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jerry Moran highlighted the critical need for collaboration with the IG’s office to ensure the proper function of the department.
A coalition of 21 Democratic representatives has taken a stand, calling for the reinstatement of the dismissed officials.
They argue that such firings are damaging to effective governance and hinder the government’s ability to responsibly manage taxpayer resources.
Additionally, concerns linger around the oversight of the Defense Department, particularly since it operated without a Senate-confirmed leader throughout the entirety of Trump’s first term.
Lawmakers criticized this gap in leadership, noting that the lack of a properly appointed official hampered oversight, leaving it in the hands of acting officials during that crucial period.
Robert Storch’s confirmation as the permanent Defense Inspector General in December 2022 marked a significant change.
Storch, before his appointment, had issued numerous oversight reports that provided critical recommendations to improve military operations, including matters relating to U.S. military assistance to Ukraine.
Similarly, the VA Inspector General’s office has been proactive, generating numerous reports and facilitating arrests linked to fraud and abuse within veterans’ benefits programs.
However, officials from both the VA and the Defense Department have remained tight-lipped regarding the impact of the recent dismissals on ongoing or forthcoming investigations.
As of now, President Trump has not disclosed when he will appoint replacements for the inspectors general he dismissed.
Source: Militarytimes