# Purge of Inspector Generals **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [January 25, 2025, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396 "2025-01-25T20:54:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/1 "2025-01-25T20:54:09Z")
> **[Trump fires inspectors general from more than a dozen federal agencies | CNN...](https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/25/politics/trump-fires-inspectors-general/index.html)** > > President Donald Trump fired the inspectors general from more than a dozen federal agencies in a Friday night purge, according to a Trump administration official, paving the way for him to install his own picks for the independent watchdog roles. 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. > **[Trump escalates his anti-oversight efforts by attacking inspectors general |...](https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/08/politics/trump-attacks-watchdog-inspectors-general-government-oversight/index.html)** > > There was a moment during Monday’s coronavirus press briefing when President Donald Trump was asked about a recent government watchdog report about testing shortages in hundreds of hospitals across the US. As the reporter asked her question, a... 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. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/2 "2025-01-25T21:00:15Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > This is so antidemocratic that Susan Collins may develop frown lines. - I’m concerned that we won’t be able to tell. ---
**Author:** ![This\_Just\_In\_2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@This\_Just\_In\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/This_Just_In_2)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/3 "2025-01-25T21:03:44Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > 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. 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’. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/4 "2025-01-25T21:05:14Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > > [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > > > This is so antidemocratic that Susan Collins may develop frown lines. - > > I’m concerned that we won’t be able to tell. Here’s a legend for reference: [_Susan Collins Scale of Concern_](https://www.reddit.com/r/ListenHereJack/comments/i9z3up/the_collins_scale_of_concern/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) Stranger ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/5 "2025-01-25T21:09:09Z")
I like how the “not concerned” photo is much younger than the others. Shows how long it’s been. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/6 "2025-01-25T21:11:28Z")
Inspectors General say they’re not fired yet. [![](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_fullsize/plain/did:plc:e4tqkvdjxqapupkv6rnb6agp/bafkreiax3fo6dobcva2of2l5uj2w4qflzkigklptg3xvtj7bfkryb6qtuq@jpeg) ](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_fullsize/plain/did:plc:e4tqkvdjxqapupkv6rnb6agp/bafkreiax3fo6dobcva2of2l5uj2w4qflzkigklptg3xvtj7bfkryb6qtuq@jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/7 "2025-01-25T21:12:56Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > I like how the “not concerned” photo is much younger than the others. 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**. > [@Smapti](#): > > Inspectors General say they’re not fired yet. 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 ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/8 "2025-01-25T21:17:52Z")
I want to ask Susan Collins whether she still thinks Trump has learned his lesson. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/9 "2025-01-25T21:19:40Z")
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](https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5106705-donald-trump-inspectors-general-firings-senators/). He really is a master of 5 dimensional hyperchess. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Chad\_Sudan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chad_sudan/32/4509_2.png) [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/10 "2025-01-25T21:26:26Z")
Our side could use more Hannibals. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/11 "2025-01-25T21:57:48Z")
The man couldn’t negotiate a game of one-dimensional _Candyland_. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/12 "2025-01-25T22:06:25Z")
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](https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2025/01/14/elon-musks-fake-gamer-controversy-explained/) has been helping him out with some fastplay tips to make a speed run to the top level of the tree. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/13 "2025-01-25T22:54:46Z")
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](https://www.ignet.gov/)? 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. ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/14 "2025-01-25T23:14:19Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > For one thing, many of these IGs are hangovers from his first administration. I imagine he heard from their co-workers that they are not sufficiently loyal. Reporting such things is a rule now. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2025, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/15 "2025-01-25T23:15:42Z")
IGs were on the front line of holding him to account in his first term. No surprise he’s immediately gunning for them now. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/16 "2025-01-26T00:48:27Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/17 "2025-01-26T00:52:26Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > When will we see people be erased from photos? That’s what AI is for. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/18 "2025-01-26T01:16:20Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > When will we see people be erased from photos? That’s too much tech for these clowns. [They’re just removing the photos.](https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/01/20/donald-trump-inauguration-day-news-updates-analysis/pentagon-removes-mark-milley-portrait-00199441) (The link goes to Politico.) ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/19 "2025-01-26T01:22:02Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > > [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > > > When will we see people be erased from photos? > > That’s too much tech for these clowns. [They’re just removing the photos.](https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/01/20/donald-trump-inauguration-day-news-updates-analysis/pentagon-removes-mark-milley-portrait-00199441) (The link goes to Politico.) - I’m sure they tried to erase the photos but the glass got in the way. Someone should suggest White-Out. ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2025, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/20 "2025-01-26T01:33:15Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Some of them absolutely weren’t disloyal. They went after Biden. How much more does he expect? 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. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396.md?page=2)