USDA inspector general escorted out of building after Trump firing: report
The former inspector general of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Phyllis Fong, was escorted out of her office on Monday after she “refused to comply” with her termination, as reported by Reuters. Fong, who had worked for the USDA for 22 years, was fired on Friday but had expressed her intention to continue working despite the termination. She believed that the sudden firings of officials by the newly inaugurated Trump administration were improper.
In an email obtained by Reuters, Fong stated that the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) had deemed the termination notices as not compliant with legal requirements, therefore rendering them ineffective at that time. Fong, who was appointed as inspector general by President George W. Bush, had also served as the chairperson of the CIGIE from 2008 to 2014.
As the inspector general, Fong’s responsibilities included conducting audits, investigations, and oversight activities related to USDA programs and operations. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) under her leadership focused on promoting economy and effectiveness in USDA programs, preventing fraud, waste, and abuse, and ensuring public health and safety in alignment with the department’s mission.
Since January 20, President Donald Trump had initiated the firing of several government employees, including inspectors general across various agencies. A total of 17 independent watchdogs from federal agencies were dismissed late on a Friday, including those from the Defense Department, State Department, Energy Department, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Department of Veterans Affairs, among others.
The sudden firings raised concerns about potential violations of federal law, which mandates a 30-day notice to Congress before removing independent watchdogs. Senator Chuck Grassley, the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called for further explanation from President Trump regarding the terminations. Grassley emphasized the importance of transparency and adherence to legal requirements in such actions.
Fox News Digital reached out to Fong, the White House, and the USDA for comment on the matter. The developments surrounding the termination of inspectors general highlighted the ongoing changes within government agencies under the new administration. The impact of these firings on oversight, accountability, and the functioning of federal programs remains a subject of scrutiny and debate.
