The Watchdogs We Can’t Afford to Lose: Why the Firing of Inspectors General Matters

When President Trump returned to office in January 2025, one of his first moves was to fire a sweeping number of Inspectors General (IGs) across the federal government. In a single day, at least 17 watchdogs were dismissed, with more firings following in the months ahead. By the fall, more than 20 IGs had been removed, and the majority of these critical oversight positions still remain vacant.

For most Americans, the term “Inspector General” may sound like another bureaucratic title. But for those of us who have worked inside the federal system, we know better. IGs are the independent watchdogs who investigate waste, fraud, abuse, and misconduct. They are the ones who ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, that veterans receive the benefits they’ve earned, and that government officials are held accountable when they cross the line.

What Happened in 2025

• The Purge: On January 24, 2025, the administration abruptly fired 17 IGs, including those at the Departments of Defense, State, Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, and Health and Human Services.

• Beyond the Law: Federal law requires the president to give Congress 30 days’ notice before removing an IG. Reports indicate that this safeguard was ignored.

• Vacancies Everywhere: Out of 74 statutory IG positions, 37 require presidential appointment and Senate confirmation. By late 2025, more than three-quarters of those posts were vacant.

Why It Matters

Without IGs, the federal government loses one of its most effective tools for accountability. These offices don’t just write reports—they uncover corruption, prevent fraud, and refer cases for civil or criminal prosecution. When IGs are sidelined, investigations stall, and the American people lose their best defense against government misconduct.

The timing of these firings raises serious questions. Removing watchdogs at the very moment when oversight is most needed suggests an effort to weaken accountability. Filing charges in court often requires the investigative groundwork that IGs provide. Without them, the system is left vulnerable.

The Local Impact

This isn’t just a Washington story. Here in West Virginia, IG oversight protects programs that matter deeply to our communities:

• Veterans’ health care and benefits

• Federal infrastructure and highway funding

• Energy and environmental programs that shape our economy

• Social services that support families in need

When oversight is stripped away, it’s our neighbors who pay the price.

A Call for Accountability

The Inspector General system was created after Watergate to restore trust in government. Weakening it now undermines decades of progress. If we want a government that works for the people—not for political insiders—we must demand the restoration of independent oversight.

The Inspector General system was created after Watergate to restore trust in government. Weakening it now undermines decades of progress. If we want a government that works for the people—not for political insiders—we must demand the restoration of independent oversight.

Congress should act to strengthen protections for IGs, ensuring they cannot be removed without cause and that vacancies are filled promptly. And voters should remember: leaders who fear accountability are the ones who most need to be held accountable.

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My first true test in leadership.

We all have experienced our own challenges in life. Early on as a U.S. Army Officer, I had to meet a challenge that required me to place my personal safety and military career in harm's way. The matter involved six female soldiers under my command. The story is much too long but suffice to say this was my first real test in leadership. Exposing what happened to these soldiers to the light of day would have ended my military career had it not been for being placed on the local Commanding General's staff. The Commanding General personally called for a Criminal Investigation Division (CID) investigation in connection with these soldiers. This is a division within the U.S. Army that has independent criminal investigation authority and does not report to any local commander (for good reason).

Closing Thought

I spent my career inside the federal system. I know firsthand how vital Inspectors General and independent criminal investigation authority are to keeping government honest. Their absence is not just a bureaucratic detail—it’s a threat to the integrity of our democratic republic.

It’s time to end the circus and restore the watchdogs.

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Lou Assaro

For West Virginia House Delegate 2026, District 69

This message was approved by Lou Assaro

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