WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) joined Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) and Senate Democrats in filing an amicus brief on behalf of eight inspectors general who were illegally fired by President Trump at the start of his term. The Senators noted that the role of an inspector general is to act as a watchdog and ensure the laws enacted by Congress are faithfully executed. Importantly, an inspector general may not be removed without proper notification to the Congress.
“Inspectors General (“IGs”) are responsible for uncovering and preventing waste, fraud, and abuse in the administration of federal programs. Their investigations, reports, and audits are crucial tools in uncovering corruption and mismanagement in the executive branch, and IGs are vital to fulfilling Congress’ constitutional oversight responsibilities. For those reasons, Congress requires the President by law to provide 30 days notice to Congress, and thus an opportunity for interbranch consultation, before removing an Inspector General from his position,” the Senators wrote in the brief.
“Removals of IGs without prior notice to Congress are legally ineffective. IGs who were removed without an explanation to Congress and without providing Congress an opportunity to weigh in on the stated reasons for removal must be reinstated,” the Senators continued.
The amicus brief was signed by Leader Schumer (D-NY) and Senators Slotkin (D-MI), Coons (D-DE), Welch (D-VT), Schiff (D-CA), Lujan (D-NM), Blumenthal (D-CT), Van Hollen (D-MD), Duckworth (D-IL), Hassan (D-NH), Bennet (D-CO), Cortez Masto (D-NV), Heinrich (D-NM), Schatz (D-HI), Shaheen (D-NH), Whitehouse (D-RI), Gallego (D-AZ), Warren (D-MA), Gillibrand (D-NY), Kelly (D-AZ), Hirono (D-HI), Klobuchar (D-MN), Cantwell (D-WA), Durbin (D-IL), Peters (D-MI), Reed (D-RI), Booker (D-NJ), and Rosen (D-NV).
The amicus brief can be seen here.