Trump has dismissed numerous officials responsible for anti-corruption efforts, according to CNN.
This is reported by CNN, as conveyed by Ukrinform.
Emails notifying that a shift in the administration's priorities necessitates the immediate cessation of their duties were sent to the relevant officials on Friday evening, signed by the head of the White House Human Resources Office, Sergio Gora.
The dismissals affected a significant portion of federal government agencies, including the State Department, the Departments of Energy, Interior, Defense, and Transportation.
Inspectors General in the federal government of the U.S. are appointed independently of party affiliation, do not report to agency heads, and their primary role is to ensure compliance with laws within their agencies. They are responsible for conducting investigations and audits of any potential misconduct, fraud, waste, or abuse by government entities or their personnel, as well as providing reports and recommendations to eliminate or prevent violations.
During his first presidency, Trump also removed independent government watchdogs he deemed disloyal early in his term. To prevent similar dismissals in 2022, Congress passed a law requiring the White House to provide legislators with justification 30 days prior to the dismissal of any inspector general.
However, the Senate did not receive documents regarding any of the dismissed officials, and the extensive nature of the firings raised concerns not only among Democratic senators but also among members of the Republican Party.
Indeed, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, when asked if any explanation had been received from the White House regarding the dismissals, replied no and promised to comment on Trump's personnel decisions later.
Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski stated in her response: "What I understand is that the lack of notification is an unprecedented fact. I can understand that a new president may critically view inspectors general in the government and the role they play in various agencies, but... I believe that the sudden dismissal of all should raise concern."
Trump himself stated on Saturday evening that he handled the dismissals in that manner because it is "very common," and noted that not all inspectors general were let go.
"I don't know them, but some people thought that some of them were unfair or not doing their jobs. This (the president's dismissal of officials – ed.) is very standard," Trump asserted.
As reported by Ukrinform, President Donald Trump, five days after signing the order for the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organization, stated that he may consider the issue of the country's return to the WHO.
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