# 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:** 3
**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 28, 2025, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/41 "2025-01-28T19:49:10Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > They haven’t been able to retrieve the pen sets their spouses gave them. While that is certainly a domestic tragedy, I think the bigger picture is that _there is no fucking oversight over the impending largest purge of civil service employees in US history at the behest of a self-described dictator_ (but “…only on Day 1”, fur sure). In a sane, functioning democracy, this would be an outrage that would have the Congress putting the president back on his heels with the threat of derailing his intended policies and looming impeachment if he doesn’t stand down. With this Congress, there is apparently a collective yawn with a few Republicans expressing ‘confusion’ and ‘concern’ because this isn’t anything like what Trump said he was going to do, right? Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2025, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/42 "2025-01-28T19:57:33Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > No one denies that firing the Inspectors General is within the power of the president. The issue is that he went about it in an illegal manner. Well, that doesn’t matter, because the firing is an Official Act, and he has immunity for any such illegal actions. Well he can be impeached for it. For my next joke … ---
**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 28, 2025, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/43 "2025-01-28T20:16:36Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Well he can be impeached for it. Sure, they can impeach him so Senate Republicans can vote to not convict, and Susan Collins can declare that he _really_ learned his lesson this time. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2025, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/44 "2025-01-28T20:30:30Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > Because this falls squarely within the limits of the immunity he’s been granted by the Supreme Court. > > No one denies that firing the Inspectors General is within the power of the president. The issue is that he went about it in an illegal manner. Well, that doesn’t matter, because the firing is an Official Act, and he has immunity for any such illegal actions. Penalties/rebukes for Trump’s illegal act are one thing. But even if those don’t happen, doesn’t the illegality of the firings mean they should be undone? ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2025, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/45 "2025-01-28T20:31:32Z")
I’m sure they will be, once a Democrat is in office again. I’d look for a side-gig in the meantime. ---
**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 28, 2025, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/46 "2025-01-28T20:36:00Z")
Penalties are ignored, and rebukes are right-wing badges of honor. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2025, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/47 "2025-01-28T20:38:49Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > But even if those don’t happen, doesn’t the illegality of the firings mean they should be undone? I assume the courts can order them back to work until Trump legally fires them. ---
**Author:** ![jshore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5e925/32.png) [@jshore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jshore)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2025, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/48 "2025-01-28T20:55:06Z")
> [@](#): > > Sure, they can impeach him so Senate Republicans can vote to not convict, and Susan Collins can declare that he _really_ learned his lesson this time. To be fair to Collins, she was absolutely correct that Trump learned his lesson from the first impeachment, just as she predicted. And, the lesson was that no matter what he does, the Republicans will insure that he faces no consequences for it. It is a lesson he seems to have certainly taken to heart and has served him well. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2025, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/49 "2025-01-28T22:57:54Z")
So, because he is immune from prosecution for his illegal acts we should just shrug our collective shoulders when he commits them? WTF? I am sooo pissed at what’s going on. ---
**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 28, 2025, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/50 "2025-01-28T23:06:47Z")
> [@MikeF](#): > > So, because he is immune from prosecution for his illegal acts we should just shrug our collective shoulders when he commits them? WTF? I am sooo pissed at what’s going on. Well yeah - I mean what else are you going to do about it? Just be glad that for now - you are still allowed to express being pissed about it. As was illustrated via the recent DEI email inviting snitches - you’re only a few fascist steps away from being hauled away for talking bad about the great orange one. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2025, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/51 "2025-01-28T23:08:50Z")
The Tenure of Office Act was enough to get Andy Johnson impeached. He only fired _one_ official. ---
**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 28, 2025, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/52 "2025-01-28T23:19:42Z")
> [@jshore](#): > > It is a lesson he seems to have certainly taken to heart and has served him well. He learned it so well he came back for another lesson! > [@This\_Just\_In\_2](#): > > Well yeah - I mean what else are you going to do about it? If I were a Democrat in Congress, I would be going on every media venue and making frank comparisons to how other democratic governments have fallen to autocracy in very similar ways, and that the only way to prevent this from happening here is to impeach Trump (and Vance, and Johnson…et cetera). Would that accomplish anything? Probably not, but at least they would be the Congressperson that didn’t lie down or give mealy-mouthed speeches on the floor of the Senate. And to be a few are, but I think most have just decided that keeping their heads down and conducting business as usual in the middle of a shit hurricane is their best move politically. You get the representation you vote for, and most voters don’t want someone much smarter or more principled than themselves lest they be shamed by comparison. > [@Johanna](#): > > The Tenure of Office Act was enough to get Andy Johnson impeached. He only fired _one_ official. Remind me, what century was that? Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2025, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/53 "2025-01-28T23:34:44Z")
“We” shouldn’t, but the people with power _will_. What you should do is make note of this, and let it guide your vote next election. Ultimately, being held accountable by the voters is the only thing you can do, if you’re not willing to start shooting people. Or at least going on a general strike. Simply refuse to partake of any part of making society work until they resign. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2025, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/54 "2025-01-29T00:39:29Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Probably not, but at least they would be the Congressperson that didn’t lie down or give mealy-mouthed speeches on the floor of the Senate. And to be a few are, but I think most have just decided that keeping their heads down and conducting business as usual in the middle of a shit hurricane is their best move politically. I wonder how much of a factor it is if potential death threats play into many democratic congresspersons’ lack of harder pushbacks. ---
**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 29, 2025, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/55 "2025-01-29T00:56:14Z")
Even if Trump is immune from prosecution, does that mean that the inspectors general are actually fired? Just because he can’t go to jail for issuing an illegal executive order, does that mean that the order must be followed? I expect there to be lawsuits about this, and for the lower courts to rule against Trump. I don’t have any faith in the Supreme Court, though. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2025, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/56 "2025-01-29T00:56:38Z")
We are watching the collapse of this country happening right before our eyes. I really don’t think I’m being melodramatic. What to do about it? IDK. When even CNN has been told to ease up on Trump criticism by its new owner, where does that leave us? On top of that, trumpworld wants to use social media to get its messages out. We all know abut the journalistic integrity influencers and bloggers etc. CTs, xenaphobes and extremists suck this stuff up without one iota of critical thinking. Perfect for a wannabe dictator/cult leader and his minions. My only hope is massive victory for dems in the mid-terms. At least, that might slow Trump down. That or some medical catastrophe befalls Trump. ---
**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 29, 2025, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/57 "2025-01-29T01:25:11Z")
Trump does actually have the authority to fire and appoint inspectors general, but he has to follow a process by which Congress is informed and substantive rationale is provide. This would be easy to do, particularly given how compliant the Congress is, but of course Trump has no patience (and no doubt wants to test the limits of how much courts will push back against illegitimate orders) to follow process. Given that IGs have reportedly been locked out of their offices and cannot even collect personal items, regardless of whether the current executive order sticks or he has to follow some subset of the required process, he has manifestly interfered with the normal oversight process that ensures that high ranking people these agencies and departments are not using their their authority in a corrupt or abusive manner. This should serve as yet another warning for anyone who believes that democratic institutions will restrain Trump or protect democracy. 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 29, 2025, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/58 "2025-01-29T01:52:57Z")
Eh, what’s the firing of a few IGs - when’s the last time they ever did anything that made the news - when he shutdown - excuse me, paused - the entire flow of federal grants? The former is like burning the top of your mouth from a hot pizza compared to the latter’s having your clothes set on fire. And to think he spent all of yesterday on the golf course! Imagine when he gets back to the White House. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2025, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/59 "2025-01-29T02:48:02Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > And to think he spent all of yesterday on the golf course! Imagine when he gets back to the White House. All that he does is provide signatures for the EOs his minions have drawn up for him. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2025, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396/60 "2025-01-29T13:35:54Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > All that he does is provide signatures for the EOs his minions have drawn up for him. And then hold up the document for the camera, smiling smugly that he signed it all by himself. Just as proud as a toddler who went poo-poo in the potty. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purge-of-inspector-generals/1013396.md?page=4)