President Donald Trump and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speak to reporters on Air Force One, Jan. 27, 2025. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)
Trump, she added, "is the executive of the executive branch, and therefore he has the power to fire anyone within the executive branch that he wishes to."
Leavitt then referenced a 2020 Supreme Court decision, Seila Law LLC v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which ruled that the CFPB's agency structure violates the separation of powers under the U.S. Constitution.
"I would advise you to look at that case, and that's the legality that this White House was resting on," Leavitt said.
Asked by the reporter whether the Trump administration believed its order would survive a lawsuit or court challenge from the former inspectors general, Leavitt responded affirmatively.
"We will win in court," she said decisively, before moving on.
The remarks come as Trump's Friday night terminations have sparked deep concern from lawmakers. The terminations were criticized by Republicans and Democrats in Congress, who noted that the independent watchdogs were created to identify and root out government waste, fraud, abuse and misconduct.
Many of the individuals fired were also installed during Trump's first term.
Lawmakers have noted that Trump ordered the terminations without notifying Congress of his intent to do so at least 30 days in advance, as required for the Senate-confirmed roles.
TRUMP'S AG PICK HAS ‘HISTORY OF CONSENSUS BUILDING’
Trump's first term saw several White House advisers and communications aides. (Getty Images | Fox News's Emma Woodhead)
This prompted high-profile clashes with some of the individuals tasked with officially communicating his views.
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Trump's most recent White House press secretary, Stephanie Grisham, did not hold a single press briefing during her time in office. Famously, former White House communications aide Anthony Scaramucci served in his post for just 11 days.
Breanne Deppisch is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital covering the 2024 election and other national news.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/white-house-press-secretary-defends-trumps-firing-inspectors-general