President Donald Trump has dismissed at least a dozen internal government watchdogs, US media reported late Friday, marking a significant shake-up during his second term less than a week after returning to office.
The Washington Post revealed that independent inspectors general from at least 12 federal agencies were notified of their immediate removal via emails from the White House personnel director. These inspectors are tasked with ensuring oversight by investigating violations, detecting fraud, and auditing contracts and staff performance across government agencies.
Agencies affected by the dismissals include the Departments of Defence, State, Interior, and Energy, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Social Security Administration.
“It’s a widespread massacre,” one of the dismissed inspectors reportedly told the Post. “Whoever Trump puts in now will be viewed as loyalists, and that undermines the entire system.”
While most of the removed officials were initially appointed by Trump during his first term, the New York Times reported that 17 inspectors general were fired, with the Justice Department’s watchdog unaffected.
Backlash from Critics
The mass firings have drawn widespread criticism from Democrats and accountability advocates. Senator Elizabeth Warren described the move as a “purge in the middle of the night.”
In a post on social media platform X, she said, “Inspectors general are charged with rooting out government waste, fraud, abuse, and preventing misconduct. President Trump is dismantling checks on his power and paving the way for widespread corruption.”
Aggressive Start to Second Term
This latest development follows a string of actions by Trump aimed at consolidating his authority. On Tuesday, his first full day in office, he announced plans to remove around 1,000 perceived opponents from the government.
The 78-year-old Republican has also issued executive orders targeting immigration, citizenship, gender, diversity, and climate policies. Many of these directives are already facing legal challenges.
The dismissals of the watchdogs have raised concerns about the erosion of oversight and accountability mechanisms within the federal government. Critics argue that these actions could lead to unchecked power and increased corruption.