President Donald Trump speaks to reporters in the Oval Office of the White House on Feb. 03, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Getty Images)
INSPECTOR GENERAL DISMISSED BY TRUMP CALLS MASS FIRINGS A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY
The inspectors general dismissed by President Trump served in several departments, including the Defense Department, the State Department, the Energy Department, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Veteran Affairs.
According to the complaint, each of the inspectors general were notified of their termination in what it classifies as "substantively identical" emails. The notices allegedly stated that they were terminated "effective immediately" due to "changing priorities."
The firings, which occurred last month, were met with criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. In a letter to President Trump signed by several Democrats and one Republican, lawmakers expressed "grave concern" over the firings, saying they were done "unlawfully and arbitrarily."
"Your actions violate the law, attack our democracy, and undermine the safety of the American people," the letter reads.
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Ia., a key player in the president’s party, called on Trump to provide a "lawfully-required substantive rationale" for the firings.
Grassley, who serves as the Senate Judiciary Committee chair, and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Il., the committee’s Ranking Member, sent a letter to President Trump urging him to reveal the reasons behind the firings so Congress and the public could be sure that the action was taken due to "real concerns."
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One en route from Miami to Joint Base Andrews, Md., on Jan. 27, as White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt listens. (AP/Mark Schiefelbein)
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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the mass firings last month, saying the Trump administration would "win in court" when asked if the actions would survive a legal challenge. President Trump said the firings were "a very common" and "a very standard" practice, which the former inspectors general deny in their complaint.
Rachel Wolf is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and FOX Business.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/8-inspectors-general-fired-trump-sue-get-jobs-back