Saturday, March 8, 2025

NYT OIG OMG.

March 8, 2025.

“They Were the Watchdogs” is extraordinarily good. The New York Times Opinion piece is incredible video journalism. If you do nothing else this week, take a minute to watch the final section, “Is Democracy in Danger.”

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/03/06/opinion/trump-doge-fires-inspectors-general.html

In his frenetic first week in office President Trump fired more than a dozen Inspectors General, the independent officials responsible for oversight of federal agencies. The IG’s eloquently and insightfully explain how replacing independent watchdogs with Trump loyalists removes the checks and balances on federal agencies and delivers a devastating blow to democracy.

The IGs objectivity about their own dismissal and their passion about the implications for the country is striking and haunting. These are people of integrity documenting history in their own words.

The firings are unprecedented and legally questionable. On January 28, Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley and Ranking Member Dick Durbin demanded explanations and a list of the acting IGs replacing those dismissed. On February 12, eight of the fired IGs filed suit demanding reinstatement.

Six weeks later a search finds no White House response to the Judiciary Committee and no update on the IG’s lawsuit. The damage appears done.

Notes.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/03/06/opinion/trump-doge-fires-inspectors-general.html

https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/rep/releases/grassley-durbin-seek-presidential-explanation-for-ig-dismissals  

https://www.govexec.com/oversight/2025/02/inspectors-general-file-lawsuit-fight-firings/402962/

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