
To say a lot is happening in D.C. is the understatement of understatements. With so much going on it’s nearly impossible to keep track of all the news. Understanding it all may be even more difficult.
Take President Trump’s decision to shake up a key government oversight office. Late on a Friday night, news began to spread that the president had fired at least 17 inspectors general from various federal agencies. The move provoked immediate outrage from some quarters but soon faded from the spotlight as the new administration grabbed headlines for other actions. Still, this decision could have more far-reaching consequences than many people realize.
What do inspectors general do?
Congress established the Office of Inspector General in 1976. The office is tasked with eliminating waste, fraud and abuse within federal agencies. Inspectors general are responsible for audits, investigations and other oversight activities within the departments they lead. Per a 1978 law, inspectors are supposed to be appointed based on qualifications, not political afflation, though this is a hard rule to enforce.
Why did Trump do this?
Trump sent an email to the fired inspectors general simply telling them that they were being let go “due to changing priorities.” The were told their positions had been terminated “effective immediately.”
Was the move legal?
According to federal law, the president must give Congress a 30-day notice before firing an inspector general. While lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have questioned the move, there has been no formal action taken against Trump, yet.
Some have speculated the president wants one of the fired workers to sue so the case makes its way to the Supreme Court, which has been inclined in recent cases to expand presidential authority. If Trump were to prevail in such a case, what was once thought to be illegal would then become protected by judicial precedent.
Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley, R- Iowa, and Ranking Member Dick Durbin, D- Ill., sent Trump a letter asking for him to explain his actions. The letter noted inspectors are nonpartisan watchdogs that root out waste, fraud and abuse within federal agencies.
“While IGs aren’t immune from committing acts requiring their removal, and they can be removed by the president, the law must be followed,” Grassley and Durbin say. “The communication to Congress must contain more than just broad and vague statements; rather, it must include sufficient facts and details to assure Congress and the public that the termination is due to real concerns about the Inspector General’s ability to carry out their mission.”
What does this mean for agriculture?
USDA Inspector General Phyllis Fong was among those fired by Trump. According to multiple reports, Fong first intended to stay because she didn’t believe Trump had followed proper protocols. Early the next week, she had reportedly left her office. Fong has yet to comment publicly on her firing.
According to her official USDA bio, Fong has prioritized public health and safety within USDA. She also focused on improving the management and financial integrity of agency programs. How those programs will be overseen by her successor is an open question at this point.
House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig joined many of her counterparts from other committees in a joint statement to Trump lambasting his decision.
“Firing inspectors general without due cause is antithetical to good government, undermines the proper stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and degrades the federal government’s ability to function effectively and efficiently,” their letter said in part. “We urge you to withdraw your unlawful action and comply with your obligations to the American people.”
What happens next?
What happens next remains the biggest unknown, though there are plenty of theories out there. It’s almost a given that President Trump will replace the fired inspectors with people he considers more loyal. At best, that means President Trump will assemble a team he trusts to carry out his policies. Since he narrowly won the popular vote, Trump could argue he is simply fulfilling the will of the people who voted for him.
At worst, the elimination of independent inspectors will weaken the system established by Congress to ensure federal agencies maintain standards and safeguards intended to hold government agencies accountable, no matter who is in charge.
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