Can’t Defy the King’s Order: USDA Inspector General Escorted Out After Defying White House Termination.

Can’t Defy the King’s Order: USDA Inspector General Escorted Out After Defying White House Termination.

The news as it trends.

Phyllis Fong, the inspector general of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was escorted out of her office by security agents after refusing to comply with her dismissal by the Trump administration.

Fong, a 22-year veteran of the department, argued that her termination did not follow proper protocols as outlined by federal law.

According to the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), the directives for terminating an inspector general include:

Notification: The President must provide written notice to both the inspector general and Congress at least 30 days before the removal or transfer. This notice should include the reasons for the action.

Justification: The reasons for the removal or transfer must be clearly stated and should be based on legitimate grounds, such as misconduct, incapacity, or failure to perform duties.

Consultation: The President is encouraged to consult with the CIGIE and other relevant stakeholders before making a decision to remove or transfer an inspector general.

Documentation: All communications and documents related to the removal or transfer should be properly documented and made available for review by Congress and other oversight bodies.

Fong informed colleagues that she planned to stay on despite the White House’s decision to terminate her, arguing that the administration had not followed these proper protocols.

However, when she refused to leave, she was escorted out by security agents.

The incident has raised concerns about the independence and integrity of the inspector general’s office and the potential for undue political influence.