Trump Firings

    Inspectors General Firings

    1. Who are Inspectors General?
    2. List of Inspectors General Firings
      1. Paul K. Martin
      2. Rae Oliver Davis
      3. Phyllis Fong
      4. Mark Greenblatt
      5. Christi Grimm
      6. Michael Missal
      7. Sean O’Donnell
      8. Cardell Richardson Sr.
      9. Robert Storch
      10. Hannibal “Mike” Ware

    Who are Inspectors General?

    Inspectors General (IGs) are independent officials embedded within federal agencies who serve as internal watchdogs for the U.S. government. Their primary mission is to promote efficiency and integrity by identifying and investigating waste, fraud, abuse, mismanagement, and misconduct within the agencies they oversee. They help ensure government programs are functioning as intended and that public funds are being used responsibly.

    Each major federal agency has its own Office of Inspector General (OIG), created either by the Inspector General Act of 1978 or by later legislation. IGs are typically appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, and while they report to both the head of their agency and to Congress, they are meant to operate independently and without political influence.

    IGs conduct a range of activities, including:

    • audits of programs and financial statements
    • investigations into allegations of misconduct or criminal activity
    • inspections and evaluations to assess how well a program is working
    • issuing public reports to keep Congress and the public informed

    While IGs do not have prosecutorial power, their findings can lead to disciplinary actions, firings, or criminal referrals to the Department of Justice. Their role is crucial in maintaining transparency, accountability, and trust in the operations of the federal government.

    TL;DR: Inspectors General are the government’s internal watchdogs who check if agencies are wasting money, breaking rules, or messing things up, and then report it.

    Some seals of various Inspectors General.
    Some seals of various Inspectors General (DOD Office).

    List of Inspectors General Firings

    Below is a list of Inspectors General that have been fired by President Donald Trump or the Trump Administration, sorted by most recent (and then alphabetically by last name for those fired on the same date):

    Paul K. Martin

    Inspector General – U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
    Fired on February 11, 2025

    Paul Martin, a longtime government official with a background in law and journalism, served as the Inspector General for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) before being dismissed by the Trump administration in February 2025. His firing came just one day after his office released a report warning that recent decisions to suspend foreign aid programs and reduce USAID staff had effectively rendered the agency’s oversight and operations “largely nonoperational,” putting billions in humanitarian assistance at risk.

    Martin had previously served in senior roles at the Department of Justice and NASA before joining USAID. His office highlighted in its final report that sweeping staffing cuts and halted communications with contractors had seriously compromised USAID’s ability to manage and safeguard taxpayer-funded programs. The administration did not provide a required 30-day notice to Congress before his termination, nor was a formal explanation given.

    Sources for the Firing of Paul K. Martin

    TL;DR: USAID watchdog Paul Martin was fired by Trump right after warning that cutting staff and aid programs had made it nearly impossible to manage billions in humanitarian help.

    Rae Oliver Davis

    Inspector General – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
    Fired on January 24, 2025

    Rae Oliver Davis, the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), was among several inspectors general dismissed by the Trump administration on January 24, 2025. Davis, who was originally nominated by President Trump in 2018 and began her role in 2019. The dismissals raised questions about compliance with federal procedures, as the law requires the president to provide Congress with 30 days’ notice and a reason for removing an inspector general. The situation has drawn attention to the process by which independent oversight officials are removed and the potential implications for transparency and accountability in federal agencies.

    Sources for the Firing of Rae Oliver Davis

    TL;DR: Rae Oliver Davis, a Trump-nominated appointee who watched over spending at HUD, was fired along with other watchdogs, and some people say it might have broken the rules for how firings are supposed to happen.

    Phyllis Fong

    Inspector General – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
    Fired on January 24, 2025

    Phyllis K. Fong, an American attorney and seasoned government oversight official, served as the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from 2002 until her dismissal in January 2025. Appointed by President George W. Bush, Fong oversaw audits and investigations into USDA programs, focusing on food safety, animal welfare, and financial integrity. Her career in public service includes roles such as Inspector General of the Small Business Administration and positions within the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and the Legal Services Corporation. Fong was also the inaugural chair of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) from 2008 to 2014, promoting accountability across federal agencies.

    In January 2025, Fong was among 17 federal inspectors general dismissed by the Trump administration. She contested her termination, asserting that proper legal procedures were not followed, a stance supported by CIGIE, which questioned the legality of the dismissals. Despite her objections, Fong was escorted from her office by security personnel. The White House defended the firings, labeling the officials as “rogue, partisan bureaucrats.” Fong’s departure raised concerns about the independence of federal oversight roles and the processes governing their removal.

    Sources for the Firing of Phyllis Fong

    TL;DR: Phyllis Fong, a longtime government watchdog who oversaw USDA investigations for over 20 years, was fired in early 2025 by the Trump administration, sparking controversy over whether the dismissals followed legal rules.

    Mark Greenblatt

    Inspector General – U.S. Department of the Interior
    Fired on January 24, 2025

    Mark Lee Greenblatt is an American attorney who served as the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of the Interior. Appointed in 2019, Greenblatt led a team of over 300 professionals tasked with investigating waste, fraud, and misconduct across the Department’s operations. He oversaw oversight efforts for more than 70,000 employees and managed audits and investigations involving over $10 billion in grants and contracts. Greenblatt also served as chair of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), a coordinating body for inspectors general across federal agencies.

    Greenblatt was among several inspectors general dismissed by the Trump administration in early 2025. In interviews following his termination, he stated that he was not given advance notice and expressed concerns about the process, noting that federal law requires a 30-day notice to Congress along with an explanation. Though appointed by the Trump administration, Greenblatt had previously raised oversight concerns during the Biden administration as well, particularly regarding the Department of the Interior’s readiness to manage funds from major federal spending laws. His removal has added to broader discussions about the independence and stability of federal watchdog roles.

    Sources for the Firing of Mark Greenblatt

    TL;DR: Mark Greenblatt, a government watchdog who investigated waste and fraud at the Interior Department, was fired in January 2025 without proper notice, raising questions about how independent inspectors general can be when they are removed.

    Christi Grimm

    Inspector General – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
    Fired on January 24, 2025

    Christi Grimm, a longtime official at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), served as its Inspector General and had a career with the agency beginning in 1999. She held multiple senior roles, including Chief of Staff and Deputy IG, and earned degrees from the University of Colorado, NYU, and Harvard’s Kennedy School.

    Grimm was dismissed by President Donald Trump in January 2025 as part of a broader removal of inspectors general. Her firing came via an email late on a Friday evening, surprising many in the oversight community. Grimm had previously led the HHS Inspector General’s office during critical oversight work in the COVID-19 pandemic, including reporting on medical supply shortages and testing delays.

    Sources for the Firing of Christi Grimm

    TL;DR: Christi Grimm, a longtime health department watchdog who reported problems during COVID, was suddenly fired by Trump along with other inspectors general in early 2025.

    Michael Missal

    Inspector General – U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
    Fired on January 24, 2025

    Michael Missal, who served as the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from 2016 until his dismissal in January 2025, was among over a dozen inspectors general removed by President Donald Trump. Appointed by President Obama, Missal led a nationwide oversight team of more than 1,100 staff monitoring the VA, the second-largest federal agency.

    Missal’s dismissal drew criticism from lawmakers and watchdog groups, who questioned the legality of removing inspectors general without proper congressional notice. In response, Missal joined other former IGs in a lawsuit seeking reinstatement, arguing that their independent roles are essential for detecting fraud, waste, and abuse within federal agencies. The White House has indicated that replacements will be announced at a later date.

    Sources for the Firing of Michael Missal

    TL;DR: Michael Missal, the guy in charge of keeping the VA honest, got fired by Trump along with a bunch of other watchdogs, and now he’s suing to get his job back because he says the firing broke the rules.

    Sean O’Donnell

    Inspector General – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
    Fired on January 24, 2025

    Sean O’Donnell, who served as the Inspector General (IG) of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) since his appointment by President Donald Trump in 2020, was unexpectedly dismissed in January 2025 along with more than a dozen other federal IGs. During his tenure, O’Donnell was known for conducting critical audits of EPA programs and overseeing the agency’s use of funding under major infrastructure and climate laws during the Biden administration.

    The dismissals were issued via email from the White House Presidential Personnel Office without prior notice to Congress, drawing concern from observers who viewed the move as potentially undermining the independence of oversight bodies. While no detailed explanations were provided, at least one termination was attributed to “changing priorities.” Critics have raised alarms about the implications for nonpartisan oversight of federal agencies.

    Sources for the Firing of Sean O’Donnell

    TL;DR: The guy in charge of making sure the EPA wasn’t wasting money, Sean O’Donnell, was suddenly fired by Trump with no clear reason along with a bunch of other watchdogs, which has people worried about who’s keeping the government honest.

    Cardell Richardson Sr.

    Inspector General – U.S. State Department
    Fired on January 24, 2025

    Cardell Richardson Sr., who served as the Inspector General for the U.S. State Department, was among 18 inspectors general dismissed by President Donald Trump on January 24, 2025. A retired U.S. Air Force Colonel with advanced degrees from Howard University, Webster University, and the National Defense University, Richardson has a long history of public service and professional education. He was appointed to the IG role in May 2024.

    Following his dismissal, Richardson announced his intention to contest the removal, arguing that federal law requires a 30-day notice to Congress before an inspector general appointed by the president can be removed. The dismissals were communicated via email by the White House’s Presidential Personnel Office, with limited explanation beyond references to “changing priorities.” The move has raised legal and procedural concerns among oversight advocates.

    Sources for the Firing of Cardell Richardson Sr.

    TL;DR: Cardell Richardson Sr., a top watchdog at the State Department and former Air Force colonel, was fired by Trump without proper warning and says the firing was illegal.

    Robert Storch

    Inspector General – U.S. Department of Defense
    Fired on January 24, 2025

    Robert Storch, a veteran government watchdog with a long career in federal oversight, served as the Inspector General for the Department of Defense from 2022 until his dismissal in January 2025. Prior to that, he held roles as the Inspector General of the National Security Agency and Deputy Inspector General at the Department of Justice. Storch holds degrees from Harvard University and Columbia Law School and was known for handling sensitive and complex oversight responsibilities.

    In early 2025, Storch was one of several inspectors general removed by the Trump administration in a broad dismissal of federal watchdogs. His termination, which came without the 30-day advance notice to Congress required by law, prompted legal and public scrutiny. In a subsequent interview, Storch expressed concern about the potential erosion of independent oversight mechanisms designed to ensure accountability and transparency within government operations.

    Sources for the Firing of Robert Storch

    TL;DR: A top watchdog for the Pentagon, Robert Storch, was fired by Trump in January 2025 without warning, and he says that getting rid of independent government watchdogs like him is a bad idea for keeping the government honest.

    Hannibal “Mike” Ware

    Inspector General – U.S. Small Business Administration
    Fired on January 24, 2025

    Hannibal “Mike” Ware, a native of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, spent much of his career in federal oversight. He earned a degree in accounting from the University of the Virgin Islands and later completed the Senior Executive Service Career Development Program. In recognition of his public service, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2020. Ware served as the Inspector General for the Small Business Administration beginning in 2018 and held a leadership role with the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.

    Ware was among 18 inspectors general who were dismissed by the Trump administration. In a media interview following his removal, he stated that he was informed of the decision by email and expressed concern about the reasoning provided, which cited “changing priorities of the administration.” Ware noted that Inspectors General are intended to function independently from any administration to ensure oversight and accountability within government agencies. The dismissals drew attention to the broader role of Inspectors General in promoting transparency and guarding against misuse of public resources.

    Sources for the Firing of Hannibal “Mike” Ware

    TL;DR: A longtime government watchdog from the Virgin Islands, Mike Ware, was fired in January 2025 by the Trump administration and said the move was worrying because inspectors general are supposed to work independently to prevent waste and abuse in government.

    Navigation

    Meaningful Quote

    “Governments constantly choose between telling lies and fighting wars, with the end result always being the same: one will always lead to the other.”

    ― Thomas Jefferson

    Trump Firings

    About

    Presidential Firings: Accurately Documented, Neutrally Presented

    Follow ME

    Blog at WordPress.com.