In a surprising Friday night decision, President Donald Trump removed inspectors general from more than a dozen federal agencies. The move clears the way for him to appoint his own choices to these independent watchdog roles, which are meant to oversee government operations and prevent misconduct.

According to sources, agency inspectors general received an email late Friday from the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, notifying them of their immediate termination. The shake-up impacted key departments like State, Energy, Defense, and Transportation. This isn’t the first time Trump has targeted these roles—during his first term, he removed several inspectors general he viewed as disloyal.

Inspectors general play a critical role in investigating potential fraud, waste, or abuse within government agencies. Their offices are designed to operate independently, ensuring transparency and accountability. In response to Trump’s previous firings, Congress passed a law in 2023 requiring the White House to provide detailed reasons for removing an inspector general. However, it appears this requirement wasn’t fully met in this latest round of dismissals.

The decision has raised eyebrows, even among some Republican senators. Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, a longtime advocate for inspectors general, noted that Congress wasn’t given the 30-day notice required by law. Other GOP lawmakers, including Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Sen. Susan Collins, expressed concerns about the lack of explanation and the broad scope of the firings.

Democrats were quick to criticize the move, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calling it a “chilling purge” that could lead to increased government abuse. Meanwhile, the White House has yet to comment on the reasoning behind the decision.

This sweeping shake-up has left many questioning the future of oversight in federal agencies and whether the new appointees will maintain the independence these roles demand.