Purge of Inspector Generals

Politics & Elections
1

Susan Collins has expressed “concern”.

IGs are supposed to look for fraud and waste, which may make them redundant with DOGE. They also are watchdogs for criminality, which makes them suspicious. Note that Trump did a smaller but similar purge in 2020.

Other than the obvious that he wants loyalists at all points that might want to halt his authoritarian rule, this move is odd. For one thing, many of these IGs are hangovers from his first administration. For another thing, his overnight dismissal is illegal, against federal law. 30 days notice to Congress, with explanations, is required to remove an IG. Is this his first impeachable act? Mark the date. 1/24/25.

This is so antidemocratic that Susan Collins may develop frown lines.

2

I’m concerned that we won’t be able to tell.

3

I think it has been pretty clearly established that Trump is above the law. This event may just be a practice for a reenactment of the June 30, 1933 ‘Night of the Long Knives’.

4

Here’s a legend for reference:

Susan Collins Scale of Concern

Stranger

5

I like how the “not concerned” photo is much younger than the others.
Shows how long it’s been.

6

Inspectors General say they’re not fired yet.

7

There have been many things in the last eight years invoking Moderate and even occasionally Severe Concern; fortunately, not much that has rated being Troubled or Disappointed.

I’m sure the Senate will perform their due diligence to assure that there is “substantive rationale, including detailed and case-specific reasons” before rubber-stamping Trump’s actions to terminate them.

Stranger

8

I want to ask Susan Collins whether she still thinks Trump has learned his lesson.

9

He learned his lesson so well he came back for another!

And Susan Collins just can’t puzzle out what Trump is thinking in firing the IGs. He really is a master of 5 dimensional hyperchess.

Stranger

10

Our side could use more Hannibals.

11

The man couldn’t negotiate a game of one-dimensional Candyland.

12

I have it on good authority that Trump is a World Grandmaster of Chutes and Ladders. His gaming buddy and Elite Supreme Mega-Master of Path of Exile 2 Elon has been helping him out with some fastplay tips to make a speed run to the top level of the tree.

Stranger

13

There should be somebody in the White House to determine when inappropriate actions are taken. Some sort of watchdog position. Neutral oversight. Maybe these guys? They seem to do a good job elsewhere.

The IG Act created 63 IGs in the Executive Branch and the “independent” agencies. He has many more people he can target.

14

I imagine he heard from their co-workers that they are not sufficiently loyal. Reporting such things is a rule now.

15

IGs were on the front line of holding him to account in his first term. No surprise he’s immediately gunning for them now.

16

Some of them absolutely weren’t disloyal. They went after Biden. How much more does he expect?

Never mind. I answered my own question.

When will we see people be erased from photos?

17

That’s what AI is for.

Stranger

18

That’s too much tech for these clowns. They’re just removing the photos. (The link goes to Politico.)

19

I’m sure they tried to erase the photos but the glass got in the way.
Someone should suggest White-Out.

20

But see that’s the beauty of reporting disloyalty. Trumper John doesn’t like Trumper Joe so he reports him. That’s something that will come easily to them since they already have the inclination to be vengeful assholes.