Legal Analysts Respond to Donald Trump Firing Inspectors General

Several legal analysts have reacted to President Donald Trump’s decision to fire several inspectors general Friday night, with some raising concerns over the legality of the move.

Newsweek reached out to the White House for confirmation and several legal scholars for comment via email on Saturday.

Why It Matters

Inspectors general are independent officials within federal agencies who investigate claims of waste, fraud and abuse of power. They conducts audits, evaluations, and special reviews, among other responsibilities.

The dismissals appear to be in violation of federal law, which requires Congress to receive reasons for the termination of a Senate-confirmed inspector general 30 days in advance. However, not all legal analysts agree it is a violation.

The removal and potential appointment of new inspectors general reflect a shift in leadership and raise concerns about the independence of key oversight positions under the Trump administration.

What To Know

A source familiar with the situation confirmed to Newsweek that some inspectors general have been fired. The exact number remains unclear, with most estimates exceeding a dozen. NBC News reported at least 12, The Washington Post cited 14, and Reuters reported 17.

Prior to the termination, the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) reported there were 74 federal inspector generals. The council’s website states: “The President nominates IGs at Cabinet-level departments and major agencies with Senate confirmation. These IGs can only be removed by the President. The agency heads appoint and can remove IGs at designated Federal entities. Both houses of Congress must be notified if an IG is removed by the President or an agency head.”

Newsweek has also reached out to the CIGIE for comment via email on Saturday afternoon.

The Post reported that inspectors general were notified of their immediate termination via email by the White House personnel director.

In a letter dated January 24 to Sergio Gor, head of the presidential personnel office, chairman of the CIGIE, Hannibal ‘Mike’ Ware, wrote: “At this point, we do not believe the actions taken are legally sufficient to dismiss Presidentially Appointed, Senate Confirmed Inspectors General.”

The letter cites the 2022 amendments to the Inspector General Act of 1978, which states that the president must notify Congress 30 days prior to removing inspectors general.

“It’s a widespread massacre,” one of the fired inspectors general told the Post. “Whoever Trump puts in now will be viewed as loyalists, and that undermines the entire system.”

What People Are Saying

John Choon Yoo, a law professor at University of California at Berkeley, told Newsweek in an email on Saturday: “President Trump is well within his power to remove members of the executive branch at will. In Seila Law v. CFPB (2020), the Supreme Court held that Congress could not protect officers of the United States from removal by the President…In Seila Law, the Court said that the only officers that Congress might be able to protect are those that are members of multi-body commissions, like the FCC or the SEC.”

He added: “The Inspectors General do not have that status; they are simple members of the executive branch agencies. Even if Congress attempts to place conditions on their removal, those conditions are unconstitutional. Any Inspector General that attempts to challenge their removal in court—they would still have to leave office and just sue for back pay—will be wasting their money in lawyers fees.”

Tristan Snell, a lawyer who helped lead the prosecution of Trump regarding Trump University, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, Saturday morning: “Trump fires 17 inspectors general – all the internal govt enforcement officials for every major government agency and department This was ILLEGAL – firing an IG requires 30 day notice to Congress. CONGRESS MUST ACT TO REINSTATE THEM, NOW.”

Barbara McQuade, MSNBC legal analyst and former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan under the Barack Obama administration, wrote in a Saturday morning X post: “Trump has fired 12 inspectors general without providing the 30-day notice to Congress required by law. He really is pushing the legal limits of his power and daring Congress to stop him.”

Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, a former Harvard Law professor, wrote in an X post: “It’s a purge of independent watchdogs in the middle of the night. 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.”

Sidney Powell, Trump’s former lawyer, wrote early Saturday on X: “Existing IGs are virtually worthless. They may bring a few minor things to light but accomplish next to nothing. The whole system needs to be revamped. They are toothless and protect the institution instead of the citizens.”

What Happens Next

It is unclear which inspectors general were terminated and if their roles will be filed. Neither the White House nor Trump have released an official statement.