Recent News
Inspectors General
We've moved the latest news to our Substack, in a special feature called "Oversight Matters."
Click here to get the latest
Whistleblowers
Lays out anti-gag order rights of federal employees and how to use them.
Provides information on the role of OIGs in working with whistleblowers.
Provides comments on proposed rule creating more at-will political appointees, including harm to whistelblower protections.
Recent News
Report on the state of the IG community that covers actions taken by the administration in 2025--such as the firing of IGs--and their significance . Mar. 11, 2026
Provides information on the IGs confirmed in 2025 and what comes next.
Opinion piece by New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang about the work New York State did to turn tragedy into an opportunity to promote public safety.
Article by GovExec on Sen. Thom Tillis' (R-N.C.) statement during a hearing with Homeland Security Secretary that he would "put procedural hurdles on several legislative activities" until DHS responds to his questions regarding a letter from DHS OIG. The letter alleges department leadership misled investigations or prohibited inquiries in 10 instances . Mar. 3, 2026
Former Inspector General Mark Greenblatt provides his analysis of the Department of Defense IG report on Secretary Hegseth's use of the private messaging app Signal to discuss highly sensitive attack plans. Dec. 4, 2025
The Acting Inspector General at the Department of Education, the second replacement in 2025, shared social media posts supporting Donald Trump. This matters because IGs by statute should be nonpartisan.
Nov. 12, 2025
Article by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) about recently confirmed Inspectors General, vacancies, and Council of Inspector General for Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) funding). Feb. 4, 2026
On December 4, 2025, Democrats blocked a package of more than 80 nominations in the Senate, including 4 Inspectors General. Republicans refiled the resolution, with 97 nominations, and will vote on it the week of December 8. Dec. 4, 2025
Council of Inspectors General for Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE)
In a complaint filed in federal court in the District of Maryland on Dec. 17, 2025, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), the Government Accountability Project (GAP), and Project On Government Oversight (POGO) are asking the court to prevent the Trump-Vance administration from unlawfully defunding the work of CIGIE. The coalition is represented by Democracy Forward and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) in the case.
Inspector General Nominees
The Inspector General Act of 1978 states Inspectors General must be appointed “without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of integrity and demonstrated ability in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, law, management analysis, public administration, or investigations.” Updates to the Act prohibit anyone from outside of the Inspector General community from being placed in an Acting Inspector General Role.
We include news coverage and other public information about the individuals nominated to replace the fired Inspector Generals.
The Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency maintains an Inspector General vacancy tracker, with the number of days the positions has been vacant.
"His language about supporting the president’s policy agenda is at odds with the independent nature of the IG position"
--Former Inspector General Mark Greenblatt
October 29, 2025
"A familiar face returned to Capitol Hill on Wednesday, with former Rep. Anthony D’Esposito facing a Senate panel as President Donald Trump’s nominee for inspector general of the Department of Labor." June 18, 2025
Provides information on the nominee for the Health and Human Services (HHS) IG, who is currently general counsel for House Republicans. March 24, 2025
"A growing number of President Donald Trump’s picks to independently audit federal agencies hail from politically appointed positions within the departments they’re tasked with overseeing." October 28, 2025
Note this Bloomberg article is behind a paywall.
Veteran Life describes Cheryl Mason's background and notes "Earlier this year, Trump appointed Cheryl Mason as a senior advisor to the VA secretary. Her shift in positions from admin to inspector general has elicited concerns about her ability to be an independent voice on department decisions. May 8, 2025
POGO explains the role of Inspectors General, the requirements for serving in an Inspector General role, and POGO's concerns about nominees.
"Nominees for inspector general (IG) positions in three federal agencies dodged questions from senators during their confirmation hearings Thursday on whether they would hold the Trump administration accountable for breaking the law.," including SBA, DOL, and DOD.
October 23, 2025
Note that this is an opinion piece. It was written by Mark Greenblatt, formerDepartment of the Interior Inspector General. May 2, 2025
Inspector General Firings
We include information below on the firing of most of the Senate-confirmed Inspectors General during the first week of the Trump administration. This action undermined the independence of Offices of Inspectors General, the rule of law, and accountability to the American people.
Musk quits Trump administration – what has DOGE achieved?
Video interview with Rob ert Storch and Mark Greenblatt
Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley and Ranking Member Durbin to President Trump requesting the "substantive rationale, including detailed and case-specific reasons" for each IG firing.
Jan. 28, 2025
Joe Allen, FHFA's acting inspector general, was removed early in Novebmer 2025.
Inspectors general fired by Trump issue warning about lack of oversight—Christi Grimm and Rob Storch
Trump’s Fired Inspectors General on ‘Illegal’ Firings and What’s Next. Video interview with Christi Grimm, Mike Missal, and Paul Martin.
Ranking Member Gary Peters Report: “Undermining the Watchdogs: The 19 Independent Inspectors General Fired by President Trump Uncovered Billions in Fraud, Waste, and Abuse”
May 2025