A federal judge on Wednesday declined to reinstate eight former inspectors general who had been dismissed by the Trump administration without prior warning or detailed explanation. These individuals were part of a larger group of 17 inspectors general fired on January 24, which impacted nearly all cabinet agencies.
Attorneys representing the government argued that the president holds the authority to remove inspectors general “without any showing of cause” and is not required to observe a 30-day notice period to Congress. The judge noted that even if the plaintiffs were reinstated, the former president could initiate their removal by providing notice to Congress, resulting in their dismissal 30 days later. While acknowledging the plaintiffs’ history of “exceptional service” and distinguished leadership, the judge concluded that the court could not provide additional relief beyond the potential for legal compensation if they succeed in their lawsuit.
The plaintiffs had served as inspectors general for entities including the Small Business Administration and the departments of Defense, State, Veterans Affairs, Health and Human Services, Agriculture, Education, and Labor. Inspectors general are responsible for identifying waste, fraud, and other malpractice within federal agencies, with their attorneys claiming that their work in 2023 alone saved over $90 billion in taxpayer funds.
Source: www.theguardian.com