On January 24, 2025, U.S. PresidentDonald Trump announced the immediate firing of at least 17inspectors general at federal government cabinet departments and agencies. The late-night mass dismissal raised concerns about government oversight and potential legal violations, and was called a "Friday night coup" or "Friday night purge" by media and critics.[1][2][3][4]
On September 24, 2025, federal judgeAna C. Reyes ruled that the administration unlawfully fired 17 inspectors general, but refused to reinstate them, noting that Trump could simply re-fire them after providing the congressionally mandated 30 days' notice.[5]
Inspectors general (IGs) serve as independent watchdogs within federal agencies, tasked with investigating allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse. Their roles are to maintain transparency and accountability within government operations. These officials are appointed to serve across different administrations and are protected under federal law, which requires the president to provide a 30-day notice to Congress before any dismissal.[1][6] As of July 2014[update], there were 72 statutory IGs.[7]
On the night of January 24, 2025, Trump announced the immediate firing of at least 17 inspectors general, including those of theDepartment of Defense,State Department,Department of Housing and Urban Development,Department of Veterans Affairs,Department of Energy, andDepartment of Transportation. According to reports, the inspectors general were notified of their termination via email, citing "changing priorities" as the reason for their dismissal.[1]
TheDepartment of Justice Inspector General,Michael Horowitz, former CIGIE chair,[14] was reportedly not fired.[11]
Federal law mandates a 30-day notice to Congress before removing an inspector general.[1][6]
Experts have said the dismissals may violate theInspector General Act of 1978, which lays out the process for removing inspectors general.Hannibal Ware, the Inspector General for the Small Business Administration, sent a letter to the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, urging them to reconsider the decision and comply with legal procedures.[1]
On February 12, 2025, eight of the fired inspectors general sued.[15]
On September 24, 2025, federal judgeAna C. Reyes ruled that the administration unlawfully fired 17 inspectors general, but refused to reinstate them, saying that Trump would likely re-fire them after providing a congressionally mandated 30 days' notice.[5]
House Democrats condemned the firings in a letter to Trump, characterizing them as an "attack on transparency and accountability". RepresentativeGerry Connolly, Ranking Member of theHouse Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, described the action as a "Friday night coup," further stating that it undermines public trust in government institutions.[1] RepresentativeAngie Craig echoed these concerns, particularly highlighting the dismissal of the inspector general at theDepartment of Agriculture, noting that such actions threaten the integrity of programs supporting farmers and nutrition assistance.[11]
Republican lawmakers, including SenatorChuck Grassley and SenatorSusan Collins, also voiced concerns. Collins said, "I don't understand why one would fire individuals whose mission it is to root out waste, fraud and abuse."[1]
On February 13, 2025,The New York Times revealed that Phyllis Fong, the fired inspector for theDepartment of Agriculture, was conducting an investigation into Elon Musk’s brain implant startup,Neuralink.[16] This company had allegedly mistreated dozens of test monkeys that later had to be euthanized. "Musk misled investors about the safety and marketability of the company's device" said Ryan Merkley, director of research advocacy with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.[17] The non-profit was the originator of the complaint to the USDA and of a second complaint to theSecurities Exchange Commission. The SEC was also conducting an investigation into Neuralink as of the change of leadership in January 2025.[16]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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