Committee Democrats Demand Trump Stop Blocking Federal Watchdogs Amid Staffing Crises and Dangerous Noncompliance

Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Robert Garcia, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, led all 20 Committee Democrats in sending letters to 24 major federal agencies that touch every aspect of Americans’ lives, from health care to education to national security, after multiple offices of inspectors general reported to Committee staff about agency actions that block them from carrying out their watchdog duties.  Reports to the Committee include general vacancies, staffing shortages, and delayed agency responses to investigation requests.  Without adequate resources and information, inspectors general cannot hold the Trump Administration accountable for corruption or misconduct.  In the letter, Committee Democrats stress the importance of nonpartisan, independent inspectors general, underscoring that obstructing inspectors general from carrying out oversight of their respective agencies is a serious violation of federal law and could lead to fraud, waste, and abuse of taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars. 

“Reports of the Trump Administration’s extensive efforts to block inspectors general from doing their jobs confirm what we already knew:  Donald Trump has never cared about uncovering waste, fraud, and abuse in our government.  The Administration’s interference with these critical nonpartisan watchdogs is a severe threat to the integrity of the nation’s government.  Committee Democrats will continue to speak up for inspectors general and support their ability to conduct rigorous government oversight,” said Ranking Member Robert Garcia. 

“Oversight Committee Democrats have been investigating President Trump’s systematic crippling of inspectors general (IG)—the independent, nonpartisan watchdogs that uncover waste, fraud, and abuse and ensure that the government operates efficiently and effectively. Our review has obtained new information that the Administration is starving IGs of the resources they need to root out corruption and hold power accountable, despite the President’s assurances to the public that addressing waste, fraud, and abuse is a high priority.”  The Members continued, “Committee Democrats have learned that, as a result of the Trump Administration’s reckless efforts to drive federal workers from their jobs without assessing the potential harm to the American people, the federal government’s OIGs have lost hundreds of key personnel, including critical auditors, investigators, and senior leaders who were instrumental in fighting waste, fraud, abuse and corruption.” 

The Trump Administration’s purge of inspectors general began on January 24, 2025, when more than a dozen inspectors general received an email stating that their positions were “terminated, effective immediately” due to “changing priorities.”  This mass termination of inspectors general directly violates federal law, which mandates giving Congress a 30-day notice and specific rationale for terminations.  

Not only has the Trump Administration conducted illegal purges, but it is also obstructing the critical oversight work of the offices of inspector general.  Many offices of inspector general have notified Committee staff of alterations to work schedules, delays in agency responses to investigations, and issues with recruitment and retention for personnel within the offices.

“When the integrity or capabilities of an agency’s OIG are compromised, it weakens the agency’s ability to be more efficient and accountable to the taxpayer. Moreover, actions to shrink the OIG community, install political hacks, and restrict lawful access to information ultimately chill whistleblower reporting, weaken independent oversight, and betray the public’s trust,” added Committee Democrats.

President Trump has also intentionally politicized these crucial nonpartisan watchdogs.  Since firing eighteen inspectors general across nineteen agencies, President Trump has only nominated nine replacements, including his supporters with histories of mismanaging taxpayer dollars.  These nominees raise serious concerns about partisan conflicts of interest and the ability of offices of inspectors general to conduct unobstructed oversight of federal agencies.

Ranking Member Garcia and Committee Democrats demand that all 24 CFO Act agencies demonstrate their intent to honor their responsibilities to the American people and uphold federal law no later than August 29, 2025.

Click here to read the letters to the 24 CFO Act agencies.   

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