INV-035 · Money & ethics · Misuse of office
Mass firing of 17 inspectors general
Stage 4 of 5: Legal action · Lawsuits, subpoenas, charges · Last development 20 Jul 2026
On 24 Jan 2025 Trump fired at least 17 inspectors general, the independent watchdogs who investigate fraud, waste and abuse inside federal agencies, by two-sentence emails citing "changing priorities". The law requires 30 days' notice to Congress and a case-specific reason. Eight of them sued. A federal judge found the firings likely violated the Inspector General Act but refused to reinstate them, and the case is still pending.
The court has not issued a final ruling on the merits. The judge also questioned whether Congress can limit the president's power to remove inspectors general at all.
- People
- Donald Trump, Pete Hegseth, Inspectors general
- Agencies
- White House
- Reviewed by
- Federal court (D.D.C.)
Timeline
The court sets a schedule for summary judgment motions; the case remains pending in district court. [1]
Reyes finds the firings likely violated the Inspector General Act but denies reinstatement, saying the plaintiffs could be compensated later if they win. "They deserved better from their government. They still do." The case is paused pending the Supreme Court's Trump v. Slaughter decision. [2]
Judge Ana Reyes hears argument on reinstatement. [1]
Eight of the fired inspectors general (Defense, State, VA, HHS, Agriculture, Education, Labor, SBA) sue in federal court in Washington (Storch v. Hegseth). [1]
Sens. Grassley (R) and Durbin (D) write to Trump asking for the legally required reasons for the inspector general dismissals. [3]
Trump fires at least 17 inspectors general by email, citing "changing priorities", without the 30-day notice to Congress the law requires. [2]
Responses
- Justice Department: Argued the law allows the president to remove inspectors general "at any time and with no preconditions", without showing cause or waiting 30 days. [2]
Who is acting on it
- Letter Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL): Asked Trump for the legally required reasons for the firings (28 Jan 2025, No reply or result recorded yet)
- Lawsuit Eight fired inspectors general: Sued for reinstatement (Storch v. Hegseth) (12 Feb 2025, Under way)
Sources
Cite this case
Public Trust Tracker. "Mass firing of 17 inspectors general" (INV-035). Last updated 20 Jul 2026. https://publictrusttracker.org/case/inv-035-mass-firing-of-17-inspectors-general/
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