President Donald Trump has made headlines again. Late Friday, he fired at least a dozen internal government watchdogs. The news sent shockwaves through Washington. US media reports called it a massive shake-up in his second term.
Independent inspectors general from 12 federal agencies received abrupt dismissal emails. These came directly from the White House personnel director, according to The Washington Post. Sources familiar with the situation described it as unprecedented.
Key agencies affected
The purge hit major federal agencies. The Department of Defense, State Department, and Interior Department were all affected. So were the Energy Department, Environmental Protection Agency, and Social Security Administration. No corner of the government was spared.
One of the fired watchdogs spoke to The Post. “It’s a widespread massacre,” the source said. “Trump’s replacements will be seen as loyalists. This undermines the whole system.”
Inspectors general: the last line of defense
Inspectors general play a critical role. They expose fraud, waste, abuse in the government and investigate violations of laws and ethics. They audit contracts, finances, and employee performance. Losing them en masse could cripple accountability.
The New York Times added more drama. They claimed 17 watchdogs were fired, not 12. However, one insider clarified that the Justice Department’s inspector general was not removed. Confusion only deepened the controversy.
Outrage from critics
Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren didn’t hold back. She called it a “purge in the middle of the night.” On social media, Warren said, “Inspectors general are essential. They prevent fraud and corruption. Trump’s actions pave the way for misconduct.”
Trump’s agenda: power consolidation?
On Tuesday, Trump started his second term aggressively. He vowed to remove 1,000 government opponents. This mass firing seems like part of that plan. The 78-year-old Republican wasted no time asserting control.
Trump’s return brought sweeping changes. His executive orders targeted immigration, citizenship, and gender policies. He also tackled diversity and climate issues. Legal challenges to these orders are already piling up.
