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Durbin Statement On President Trump Unlawfully Firing Independent Inspectors General Across Multiple Federal Agencies

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after President Donald Trump unlawfully fired at least 12 independent inspectors general across multiple federal agencies:

“President Trump’s firing of at least 12 independent inspectors general at important federal agencies is a continuation of his efforts to reshape the federal government without oversight or accountability—and with loyalty to Donald Trump and Donald Trump alone. It is a brazen attempt to rig these offices to look the other way when violations of law take place. These dismissals clearly violate federal law, which requires the President to provide Congress with 30-day notice of intent and detailed reasons to fire inspectors general.

“Inspectors general are vital for keeping the government honest and revealing waste, fraud, and abuse. Less than one week in office and President Trump is dismantling the checks and balances on the Executive Branch at an astounding rate.”

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