The former main inspector of the US Ministry of Agriculture (USDA) was escorted from her office on Monday after “refusing to comply with” the break, Reuters said.
Phyllis Fong, who has been working for USDA for 22 years, has been discharged on Friday, but reportedly told her colleagues she was planning to continue working. At that time, the Government employee said she believed that the newly opened Trump administration was improperly acting by suddenly discharging officials.
In the e -Poruci received by Reuters, Fong said that the Council of General Inspector on Integrity and Efficiency (Cigie) “took the view that these termination notifications did not in accordance with the requirements listed in the Law and are therefore not effective at the moment.”
Fong, named President George W. Bush for an inspector, also worked for Cigie from 2008 to 2014, after he was elected first chairman of the Council. According to the USDA website, Fong’s job of the Inspecto General included “audit, investigations and other supervisory activities related to the programs and Operations of USDA”.
The General Inspector Discarded by Trump calls for mass release by threatening a democracy
Phyllis Fong, who has been working for USDA for 22 years, has been removed from the agency on January 27. (Getty Images | USDA)
“The Office of General Inspector (OIG) provides the lead in promoting economics and efficiency in USDA programs and preventing fraud, waste and abuse,” the description writes. “Mrs. Fong priorities as Ig were aimed at OIG resources to protect public health and security regarding the USDA mission and business, and to improve the management and financial integrity of the Department Program.”
Of January 20, President Donald Trump He fired several government employees in dozens of agencies. General inspectors are one of many targeted employees, along with those in Dei roles.
On Saturday, the White House official for Fox News said 17 independent guards In various federal agencies, they were released late on Friday. General inspectors also worked for the Ministry of Defense, State Department and Energy Ministry, in addition to the Housing and Urban Development Department, the Veterans Questions and more.
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US Ministry of Agriculture (file)
At that time, Senator Chuck GrassleyR-Iowa, she expressed concern that sudden release may have violated the Federal Law that requires the president to inform the 30 days of intent to release independent guards, according to Associate Press.
“There may be a good reason why Ig are fired. We need to know it if so,” said Grassley, chairman of the Senate Committee. “I would love further explanation from President Trump. No matter what, the 30 -day notice of removal that the law requires not submitted to the Congress.”
Former President Donald Trump is led by the Spring donor of the Republican National Committee in Palm Beach, Florida, May 4, 2024. (Campaign Donald Trump 2024)
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Fox News Digital reached for Fong, the White House and the USDA for a comment.
Reuters and Fox News’ Lucas Tomlinson and Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.
