Take Care LedgerA dated, sourced record of the second Trump administration

Inspectors General and Watchdogs

Updated2026-11-09 Covers2025-01-24 to 2026-11-03

Summary

In his first week back in office, Trump fired 17 inspectors general (IGs). IGs are the officials inside federal agencies who audit and investigate them.1,2 He also removed members of boards and commissions. Congress had protected those members from being fired at will, meaning for any reason or none. Several of these bodies, including the Federal Election Commission (FEC), were left without a quorum, the smallest number of members they need to act.3,4 The Supreme Court then acted on its emergency docket, where it decides matters quickly, often without full argument. It paused orders that had given fired board members their jobs back. Those members came from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). It also let the firing of a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) member stand while her case went on. Then, in Trump v. Slaughter59 (June 29, 2026), the Court overruled Humphrey’s Executor60. That 1935 decision had upheld a rule that FTC commissioners could be fired only for cause, meaning for a good reason such as misconduct.5,6,31,7 A judge found that the IG firings broke the Inspector General Act61, a law that requires the President to notify Congress and give reasons before removing an IG. But the judge put no one back in the job.2 As of November 2026 the Office of Government Ethics has an acting director.8,107 The IG at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a former senior VA adviser. She had worked with the VA secretary on staffing reforms.9 The top job at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), Congress’s auditing arm, is called Comptroller General. It has been empty since late 2025.86 In 2026 IGs and GAO reported that agencies had held back records from them.82,85

Background

The Inspector General Act of 1978 requires 30 days’ notice to Congress and a “substantive rationale” before an IG is removed. That means a real explanation.2 Members of many boards and commissions with several members may be fired only for cause. The National Labor Relations Act62 is one example. Under it, a member may be removed “for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office, but for no other cause,” meaning only for poor work or wrongdoing. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) needs three of its five members to decide cases.3 Humphrey’s Executor upheld this kind of protection for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).10

The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) protects whistleblowers, who are people who report wrongdoing. It also enforces the Hatch Act63, a law that limits political activity by federal employees on the job.11 The Office of Government Ethics (OGE) reviews officials’ financial disclosure reports.12 A criminal conflict-of-interest law bars officials from working on matters that affect their own money. The president is not covered by that law, 18 U.S.C. § 20864, and he files yearly financial disclosures with OGE.13

What happened

Inspector general firings

On Jan 24, 2025, White House personnel chief Sergio Gor fired 17–18 IGs by late-night email (the court later said 17). They worked at Defense, State, Veterans Affairs (VA), Energy, Transportation and other agencies.1,2 Sen. Chuck Grassley (R) said the required notice had not been given: “There may be good reason the IGs were fired. We need to know that if so.”1 The record here does not include the administration’s stated legal basis for the removals. On Feb 11 Paul Martin, the Inspector General of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), was removed without a stated reason.52 A day earlier, his office had reported on about $8.2 billion in unspent humanitarian aid. It said oversight of that aid had become “largely nonoperational.”140 Public Citizen later counted 21 IG removals in total.52

On Sept 24, 2025 Judge Ana Reyes ruled on the firings under the Inspector General Act (IGA). “President Trump violated the IGA. That much is obvious,” she ruled. But she put no one back in the job, because he could fire them again after giving notice.2 On Oct 15 Trump removed Parisa Salehi, the IG of the Export-Import Bank. Grassley wrote that the White House had again not given the 30 days’ notice and “substantive rationale” the law requires.55 The removal of the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s acting IG in November 2025 is covered under Access, funding and obstruction below.

Acting inspectors general and new appointees

On May 23, 2025 René Rocque, the acting IG at the Education Department, told Congress about her review of the department’s reduction in force (RIF). A RIF is a round of layoffs, and this one cut the department’s staff in half. She said the department had caused “unreasonable denials and repeated delays” in her review. On Jun 4 Trump gave Congress 30 days’ notice that Heidi Semann would replace her. He cited “the changed priorities of my administration.” The same notice replaced acting Commerce IG Roderick Anderson with Duane Townsend.113 By December 2025 Government Executive counted at least five acting IGs who had been replaced. They were at Education, Commerce, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Justice Department (DOJ) and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).53 On Nov 7, 2025 Trump told Congress he was naming Mark Priebe acting Education IG in place of Semann. Semann went back to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) at the Federal Reserve Board.114 On Sept 17, 2026 GAO found that Mark Priebe’s acting service at Education (Dec 7, 2025 to Apr 7, 2026) broke the Federal Vacancies Reform Act70 from its first day. That law limits how long someone may serve as an acting official without Senate approval. GAO also found that Townsend’s use of the acting title at Commerce after Nov 18, 2025 broke it.58 Semann’s nomination was withdrawn that day.115 Trump nominated Priebe on Sept 28, and Rocque again became acting IG.116 On Oct 26 Trump told Congress that David DeArmas would replace her in 30 days. DeArmas had been the OIG’s chief of staff since July. Before that he was principal of a private middle school in Virginia.53,80,117

On Jul 31, 2025 the Senate voted 53–45 to confirm Cheryl Mason as VA IG. She was a senior VA adviser who had worked with VA Secretary Doug Collins on staffing reforms. She had testified, “I consider myself to be an impartial, independent aide to the department.”9 Government Executive reported on Oct 20, 2026 that the VA IG office had lost about 20% of its staff. Staff fell to fewer than 950, and audit reports in the first half of the budget year FY2026 were 75% below the 2020–24 average. Those figures came from a Partnership for Public Service analysis.37,121 John Walk became IG at the Agriculture Department (USDA) on Jan 5, 2026. He had been a senior adviser to Agriculture Secretary Rollins. Christopher Fox, the Intelligence Community IG confirmed in Oct 2025, had been a senior adviser to the Director of National Intelligence. Public Citizen, citing Government Executive, counts 6 of the 8 IGs Trump installed as having held earlier political or policy jobs in the administration. Oversight.gov listed 27 IG posts as empty in Nov 2026.57 Dennis Kirk contributed to Project 2025. He was reportedly placed in Interior’s OIG as a special adviser in August 2026, and by Nov 3 he was the nominee for Interior IG.97

Independent boards and commissions

On Jan 27, 2025 the three Democrats on the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) were fired. That board oversees government surveillance. The firings left it without a quorum.14 In what NPR called “an unprecedented move,” Trump also removed NLRB member Gwynne Wilcox that night. He also removed two Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) commissioners. Both agencies were left without quorums.3 By Feb 15 an NLRB lawyer had told a court that, without a quorum, the agency could no longer defend itself against a claim that it is unconstitutional. That claim came from Elon Musk’s company SpaceX.15 While the NLRB lacked a quorum, SpaceX pursued that challenge. At the same time, Musk was running the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) (Musk, DOGE and Conflict-of-Interest Questions).15 Trump also removed Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) member Susan Tsui Grundmann (Feb 11) and Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) chair Cathy Harris (Feb 10).18,19 On Mar 12 Judge Sparkle Sooknanan of the federal court in Washington, D.C. (D.D.C.) ordered Grundmann put back in her job. She wrote, “The independence of the FLRA was central to its creation.”108 On Jul 3 a D.C. Circuit panel paused that order. It found that the FLRA’s for-cause protection was likely unconstitutional. That left the three-member authority split 1–1.109

On Feb 18 Executive Order 14215 put the major proposed and final rules of independent agencies under White House review. An executive order is a written order from the President to the agencies he runs. It is not a law passed by Congress. A White House fact sheet said the order restored “a government that answers to the American people.”20 On Feb 28 three Democratic Party committees sued. They were the Democratic National Committee (DNC), the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). They argued that the order’s claim of control over the FEC broke the Federal Election Campaign Act. The suit was dismissed on Jun 3, 2025 for lack of standing and ripeness. Standing is the right to bring a case, which requires a real injury. Ripeness means a dispute is ready for a court to decide.79,137,138 On Mar 18 Trump fired both Democratic FTC commissioners, Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya. DOJ asked the courts to overturn Humphrey’s Executor.21 On Jun 13 Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Commissioner Christopher Hanson was fired by a one-line email.22 Hanson said he was removed “without cause.” The Energy Reorganization Act66 lets the President remove NRC commissioners only for “inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance.”22 Two members of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) were removed without a stated reason. They were Alvin Brown (May 6, 2025) and Todd Inman (Mar 6, 2026, “effective immediately”). That left three of five seats filled while about 1,250 investigations were open. The White House said performance drove the decisions.24,25,126

The MSPB got its quorum back when James Woodruff II was sworn in on Oct 28, 2025.48,110 The NLRB got its quorum back when the Senate confirmed two Republicans on Dec 18, 2025.30 On Jul 9, 2026 the White House fired two Election Assistance Commission (EAC) commissioners. It cited Slaughter (see Court rulings on removal below). It said the president may remove those “not totally aligned with the important task of securing America’s elections.” The third commissioner resigned. That left the agency that certifies voting systems with no commissioners four months before the midterms.33

Court rulings on removal

On May 22, 2025 the Court ruled 6–3 in Trump v. Wilcox65. It paused the orders putting Wilcox and Harris back in their jobs. It said NLRB and MSPB members “exercise considerable executive power,” while treating the Federal Reserve as different. Justice Kagan disagreed in a dissent. She wrote that the majority might mean those members could not fall within the Humphrey’s exception. If so, she wrote, “it has foretold a massive change in the law.”5 On Jul 23, in Trump v. Boyle67, the Court applied Wilcox to three Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) members. Kagan wrote that the Court was using its emergency docket “to destroy the independence of an independent agency.”6 On Aug 19 the Fifth Circuit appeals court69 ruled in SpaceX’s case. It held that firing protections for NLRB board members and administrative law judges, who are judges inside agencies, likely violate Article II68. Article II is the part of the Constitution that gives the President executive power. The court barred the NLRB from prosecuting SpaceX.23

The Court let Slaughter’s firing stand while her case went on (Sept 22). It heard arguments on Dec 8. Chief Justice Roberts said, “Humphrey’s Executor is just a dried husk of whatever people used to think it was.”31,32 On Jun 29, 2026 the Court overruled Humphrey’s Executor in Trump v. Slaughter (6–3). It held that Congress cannot require cause for firing officials who use executive power. In Trump v. Cook71 (5–4), it kept Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook in office.7

Ethics and special counsel offices

On Feb 10, 2025 OGE Director David Huitema was removed. He was two months into a five-year term.12 Acting heads followed. They included VA Secretary Doug Collins and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who also ran OSC.16 Eric Ueland, the Deputy Director for Management at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), was named acting director on Aug 25, 2025.106 On Jun 23, 2026 Trump nominated Michael Chamberlain as director. He named Keith Sonderling as acting director. OGE’s announcement called Sonderling the Acting Secretary of Labor. OGE’s releases through Nov 6, 2026 report no confirmation.107 Trump fired Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger, who sued. The Supreme Court held the administration’s request “in abeyance,” meaning on hold (Feb 21). The D.C. Circuit paused his reinstatement. Dellinger then ended his suit on Mar 6.17 Under Greer, OSC opened a Hatch Act investigation of former Special Counsel Jack Smith (Aug 2). It acted on a referral from Sen. Tom Cotton.29 Paul Ingrassia was Trump’s nominee to lead OSC. He was nominated on May 29, 2025, and withdrew on Oct 21. “I do not have enough Republican votes,” he wrote. The day before, Politico had published group-chat texts from 2024. In them he wrote that he had “a Nazi streak in me from time to time.” His lawyer questioned whether the texts were real.11,118,119

OGE told Sen. Ted Cruz in Dec 2025 that Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) head Bryan Bedford “has failed to timely comply” with his ethics agreement. Bedford sold his Republic Airways stock about four months after the deadline.94 OSC’s chief counsel, Charles Baldis, was nominated in May 2026 and confirmed in August. He was formally installed as Special Counsel on Sept 30, 2026.49,81,120 The watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed Hatch Act complaints with OSC against several officials. They included Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick (Aug 13, 2025) and Stephen Miller (Jun 1, 2026, over his May 28 Fox News remarks about Texas Senate candidate James Talarico). None of these complaints had a reported resolution before the midterms. On Aug 20, 2026 CREW asked Baldis to resolve six of them, which had been pending for 2 to 12+ months.81,122,123 On Sept 25, 2026 OSC declined to seek discipline over shutdown messages that blamed Democrats. The messages came from the White House and 37 agencies. OSC warned that such messages could violate the Hatch Act in the future.95 On Oct 14 OSC accepted for review a Hatch Act complaint against Labor IG Anthony D’Esposito. CREW accuses him of using the office’s official account to share posts praising administration policies. He said, “They won’t intimidate me.”96

Access, funding and obstruction

On Sept 26, 2025 OMB contacted the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE). It said that, as “a policy decision,” it would not release the council’s FY2026 funds.54 By Oct 1 Oversight.gov and at least 15 OIG websites and hotlines were offline. OMB said IGs “have become corrupt, partisan, and in some cases, have lied to the public.”141 Sens. Susan Collins and Chuck Grassley asked OMB Director Russell Vought what legal authority he had for this.142 OMB then released part of the funds.143 On Sept 30 Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered IG offices to close complaints within seven days unless there was “credible evidence.” He also ordered them to track “repeat complainants,” and he told senior officers the IG system had been “weaponized.” Reuters noted that the IG was then reviewing his use of the Signal messaging app.26

On Oct 30, 2025 about a dozen Fannie Mae ethics officials were fired, according to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). They had been looking into whether people working under Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte had improperly pulled Democrats’ mortgage records. In November Pulte removed acting FHFA IG Joe Allen. Reuters reported that Allen had been getting ready to tell Congress that FHFA was not cooperating with his investigators.27,28,56 On Sept 30, 2026 FHFA cut the OIG’s FY2027 funding to $20 million. The president’s budget had proposed $55 million. Acting IG James Hodge said the cut would mean reducing staff by up to 80% and losing the ability to run criminal investigations.56,125 On Oct 30, 2026 the OIG told Congress of “unprecedented” obstruction, citing records it had been refused. At that time, acting principal deputy IG James Hodge was performing the IG’s duties. FHFA said it “delivered every document.”28

On Feb 2, 2026 Intelligence Community IG Christopher Fox delivered a whistleblower complaint to the Gang of Eight congressional leaders. The complaint was about Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. It had been filed on May 21, 2025. It makes two claims. One is that the sharing of a highly classified report was limited for political reasons. The other is that an agency legal office, for political reasons, did not send a possible crime to DOJ. The acting IG at the time had found the first claim not credible and closed the complaint in June 2025. Fox wrote that he “would likely determine that the allegations do not meet the statutory definition” of an urgent concern. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) blamed the eight-month delay on a classified legal review and the shutdown.103 On Feb 24–25 Rep. Jim Himes and Sen. Mark Warner wrote about the report behind the complaint. They said the intelligence community refused them the full, uncensored report “due to the assertion of executive privilege,” the President’s power to keep some things confidential. They called that refusal “unprecedented,” and said the complainant still had not received the required guidance on contacting the committees.144

On Mar 2, 2026 DHS IG Joseph Cuffari wrote to six committee leaders that DHS had “systematically obstructed” his office. ICE took away the OIG’s access to its Enforcement Integrated Database. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) refused direct access to arrest and detention data. Secretary Noem asked for a list of pending OIG matters “so that she may consider whether any… should be terminated” under 5 U.S.C. § 41791.128 That section of law lets the DHS Secretary stop an IG inquiry only for certain listed reasons. NBC News reported on Apr 10 that about 85% of the office’s audits were paused during the 2026 shutdown. They included its review of how ICE investigates excessive force.82,129 On Jun 24 the office opened a separate review of force used against ICE detainees in detention centers. Neither force review has produced findings.130 Commerce’s OIG reported (Oct 1) that in 2025 officials at an unnamed bureau had interfered with its audits. It said they did so “by altering or withholding documents, intimidating employees, and improperly monitoring employees’ communications with auditors.”84

GAO’s 2026 reports on DOGE found three things. A Treasury DOGE employee had emailed USAID payment data on more than 350 people to the DOGE team at the General Services Administration (GSA) (Apr 28). In addition, 10 agencies and the Executive Office of the President gave GAO ethics records for only 64 of 206 DOGE staff (Aug 5). And agencies held back information on DOGE’s access to their computer systems (Sept 29).85 As of Oct 8 a congressional commission had not met. By law, that commission must recommend candidates for Comptroller General (31 U.S.C. § 70392). The White House was reported to be considering OMB Deputy Director Eric Ueland.86

Audit and investigation findings

The Pentagon IG reviewed Hegseth’s use of Signal. Acting IG Steven Stebbins opened the review on Apr 3, 2025 at the request of Sens. Roger Wicker and Jack Reed.102 It found that his Signal use risked endangering the Houthi strike mission. It also accepted that he had the authority to declassify. His lawyer said the report “totally exonerates” him (Dec 2025).42 The DOJ IG opened an audit of the Epstein files (Apr 2026).43 Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer resigned while the Labor IG was investigating her (Apr 2026). Its report (Sept 3–4, 2026) found she drank alcohol at the office, had staff run personal errands on federal time and accepted gifts she did not report. Her lawyer said investigators did not find that she broke any laws.44,101,139 The Postal Service IG is appointed by the USPS Board and the Postal Regulatory Commission, not by the president. It audited postal inspectors’ immigration work. On Aug 24, 2026 it reported that nine inspectors had been moved to a Homeland Security Task Force. It said none had been moved only to immigration enforcement.45,112 It also opened an investigation about a ballot portal (Sept 2026).46 On Sept 4, 2026 it reported that USPS had handled 2026 primary-election mail mostly on time. It found lapses in postmarking and in daily checks for left-behind mail, including at least 56 Pennsylvania ballots stamped with the wrong date. USPS agreed with 10 of its 11 recommendations. The report said the office would cover “allegations received at the end of August 2026” in later work.145

DHS’s OIG inspected detention centers. It found the Krome center in Miami 25% over capacity, with 1,102 detainees against a capacity of 882 (report of Sept 11, 2026). At the El Paso Enhanced Hardened Facility, people were held 108 hours on average, against a 72-hour standard (report of Oct 26).83,132,134 The OIG reported that ICE’s electronic health-records system “does not fully address its capability needs for transferring and accessing medical records.” It also said ICE had denied it read-only access to three contracting and financial systems (Jul 23). The DHS Chief Procurement Officer denied it back-end access to the contract system for almost $10 billion in detention-space contracts (Sept 28).83,131,133 The DHS IG found that 79 detainees at “Alligator Alcatraz” had been held in outdoor cages of about 16 and 18 square feet (Sept 14, 2026).47 DHS’s IG took more than three years on 39 of 73 cases about retaliation against whistleblowers. In all 11 cases where retaliation was confirmed, the Secretary missed the 30-day deadline to fix it (GAO, Sept 17, 2026).87 The DHS IG referred its investigation of Corey Lewandowski to DOJ. He had been a senior adviser to then-Secretary Noem. On Oct 22, 2026 CBS and NBC reported that DOJ had opened an investigation into whether he used his DHS job for financial gain. NBC reported that the IG’s inquiry began with how a $220 million ad contract featuring Noem was awarded. Lewandowski’s lawyer said he denies wrongdoing, and no charge has been filed.146 The Pentagon’s lead IG put the Iran war’s cost at $33.4 billion through June. It reported munitions “strategic inventory shortfalls,” which Hegseth had denied.88 VA’s IG found that 435 contracts worth $1.1 billion were cancelled at DOGE’s urging. Some were cancelled after reviews of under 11 hours. VA said the cuts “had no negative impact whatsoever on VA care and benefits.”89 State’s OIG found that the U.S. Agency for Global Media had cut contracts without studying the costs. These included 24-hour cybersecurity monitoring.90 The Federal Reserve’s IG rated the information security of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) “ineffective,” and linked it to “decreased staffing levels” (Oct 29, 2026).93

Watchdog groups asked IGs at seven agencies to look into several matters. The agencies were State, Interior, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), DOJ, the Department of Energy (DOE), USDA and the Fed. One request concerned placing the G20 summit at Trump’s Doral resort (CREW to State, Feb 3, 2026). Another concerned the closing of DOJ’s investigation of Rep. Andy Ogles (American Oversight to DOJ, Oct 23, 2026). Others concerned the firefighting response near USDA Under Secretary Michael Boren’s Idaho ranch (CREW, Aug 17, 2026) and OPM Director Scott Kupor’s sales of Robinhood stock. No IG result is reported.98,124,135,136 On Aug 5, 2026 Rep. Robert Garcia and Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Richard Blumenthal and Tammy Duckworth asked the Defense Department IG to examine $3.2 billion in federal awards. The awards went to companies backed by 1789 Capital (Donald Trump Jr.) and American Ventures (Eric Trump). The Pentagon denies any impropriety, and no IG response is reported.104 On Oct 28, 2026 AP reported that the Pentagon IG had turned down a request from nine senators of both parties. They had asked it to investigate disruptions to Ukraine’s Starlink and Starshield service. The office said the matters were “best addressed by the Department” and that it could revisit the decision if new information emerges. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen called the decision “concerning.”147

Key dates

Why it matters

Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. § 403). The Act requires 30 days’ notice and a “substantive rationale” to Congress before an IG is removed.2 The legal question was what remedy follows when that rule is broken. Judge Reyes held on Sept 24, 2025 that the removals violated the Act. But she declined to put the IGs back, because the president could remove them again after giving notice.2 The record here does not include the administration’s stated legal basis for the removals.

IG and GAO access (5 U.S.C. §§ 406(a), 417; 31 U.S.C. § 716). One section of the IG Act gives an IG the right to “timely access to all records” of its agency.99 Section 417 lets the DHS Secretary stop an IG inquiry only for listed reasons, such as national security. The Secretary must give the IG written notice within 7 days, and Cuffari said no notice had been given.91,82 Section 716 lets the Comptroller General “obtain such agency records as the Comptroller General requires.”100 The legal question is how those rights are enforced when an agency says no. GAO said concerns about lawsuits “do not alter or diminish GAO’s statutory right to the requested information.”85

Intelligence Community whistleblower channel (50 U.S.C. § 3033(k)(5)). This law105 lets an employee take a complaint to the intelligence committees even when the IG does not find it credible. First, the employee must get directions from the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), through the IG, on how to contact the committees securely. The Gabbard complaint raises a question. Do an eight-month delay and a privilege claim over the underlying report fit that system? No court or committee has ruled.103,144

Hatch Act (5 U.S.C. § 7323) and IG appointment standard (5 U.S.C. § 403(a)). The Hatch Act63 limits political activity by federal employees. The IG Act requires IGs to be appointed “without regard to political affiliation,” meaning without regard to party (5 U.S.C. § 403(a))61. Those two rules are the background to the D’Esposito complaint and the Kirk nomination.96,97 OSC enforces the Hatch Act. Its investigation of Smith followed a referral from Sen. Cotton.29

Removal power (Art. II; Humphrey’s Executor (1935) → Trump v. Slaughter (2026)). The legal question was whether Article II lets Congress limit the firing of commission members to specified causes. The National Labor Relations Act and the Energy Reorganization Act both do that. DOJ argued that Humphrey’s Executor should be overruled.3,22,21 The Supreme Court paused reinstatement orders in Trump v. Wilcox (May 22, 2025) and Trump v. Boyle (Jul 23, 2025).5,6 The D.C. Circuit paused the FLRA reinstatement, finding the FLRA’s protection likely unconstitutional (Jul 3, 2025).109,38 The Fifth Circuit held that the NLRB’s protections likely violate Article II (Aug 19, 2025).23 Trump v. Slaughter (Jun 29, 2026) held that Congress cannot require cause for firing officials who use executive power.7 Trump v. Cook (Jun 29, 2026) held that a Federal Reserve governor’s for-cause protection includes a right to notice and a chance to respond.7 The Court denied a request to pause the order in Blanche v. Perlmutter72 (Copyright Office) on Jun 30, 2026, noting that the denial “is not a ruling on the merits.”40 That means it did not decide the main legal question. The PCLOB appeal (LeBlanc v. PCLOB73) is still pending.39

Quorum requirements (Help America Vote Act § 208; National Labor Relations Act § 3(b)). The FEC needs four votes for enforcement actions.4 The EAC was created by the Help America Vote Act74. Without commissioners, it cannot take actions that require three votes.51 The FEC’s enforcement caseload doubled in a year, from 154 to 307, according to CBS as cited by Campaigns & Elections.50 EAC staff keep running grants and voting-system testing and certification under powers handed to them earlier.51 From Jan 27 to Dec 18, 2025, the NLRB lacked a quorum. The MSPB received about 12,000 appeals in fiscal 2025, double a normal year, while fired federal workers waited (Federal Workforce Reductions and Schedule F).3,30,34

Title VII (Bostock v. Clayton County). In February 2025 the EEOC, under acting chair Andrea Lucas, asked courts to dismiss six of its own pending suits. Those suits had been brought for transgender and gender-nonconforming workers. The EEOC cited Trump’s executive order on two sexes. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act bans job discrimination based on sex and some other traits. Bostock v. Clayton County (2020)75 held that an employer who fires someone for being transgender breaks Title VII76.35

FISA Section 702 (50 U.S.C. § 1881a). Section 70277 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) lets the government collect communications of people outside the U.S. who are not Americans. The FBI’s searches of that data rose about 34%. They went from 5,518 in the prior period to 7,413 in Dec 2024–Nov 2025. The PCLOB lacked a quorum for most of that time (Federal Data Sharing and Surveillance).36

Outcome

Where things stand

As of November 2026 the IG firings stand. Later removals brought Public Citizen’s count to 21, and Oversight.gov listed 27 IG vacancies in Nov 2026.2,52,55,57 Under Slaughter, the firings at the FTC, NLRB, MSPB and CPSC stand. Cook and Copyright Office head Shira Perlmutter remain in office.7,40 The FEC has two commissioners. Since Apr 30, 2025, it has lacked the four votes needed for enforcement. Its enforcement caseload doubled in a year to 307, and Trump’s Feb 11, 2026 nominees, Ashley Stow and Andrew Woodson, were not confirmed before the midterms.50,41,4,111 The EAC has had no commissioners or nominees since Jul 9, 2026. Its staff certify voting systems under powers handed to them earlier.51,33 The PCLOB also lacks a quorum, and the NTSB has three of five members.39,24

Several matters are still open. They are the PCLOB appeal, David DeArmas’s planned start as Education’s acting IG in late November 2026, OSC’s open Hatch Act reviews and the Comptroller General vacancy.39,80,96,86 DOJ’s investigation of Corey Lewandowski, which began with a DHS IG referral, is also open.146 The record has no ruling yet in the PCLOB appeal (LeBlanc v. PCLOB). It also has no record of a court challenge by fired NRC commissioner Christopher Hanson.

Status

Item Status Latest development (date) What would change it
IG removals (Jan 24, 2025 and later) In force Ruled a violation of the IG Act, but no one put back (Sept 24, 2025); Martin (Feb 11) and Salehi (Oct 15, 2025) also removed2,52,55 —
Acting IGs at Education and Commerce Pending (Senate, Priebe nomination) At least five acting IGs replaced in 2025; GAO found Vacancies Act violations (Sept 17, 2026); Priebe nominated (Sept 28) and DeArmas named to replace acting IG Rocque (Oct 26, 2026)53,58,116,117 A Senate vote on Priebe; DeArmas starting in late Nov 202680
CIGIE FY2026 funds Reversed (in part) OMB released part of the funds (fall 2025)143 —
FHFA OIG budget In force FY2027 funding cut to $20 million (Sept 30, 2026)56,125 —
FTC, NLRB, MSPB and CPSC removals Concluded Upheld under Trump v. Slaughter (Jun 29, 2026)7 —
FLRA removal (Grundmann) In force Stands because a D.C. Circuit order paused her reinstatement (Jul 3, 2025)38,109 A final D.C. Circuit ruling
PCLOB removals Pending (D.C. Circuit, LeBlanc v. PCLOB) Appeal sped up Aug 5, 2026; the pause holds, no ruling39 A D.C. Circuit decision
NTSB removals In force Judge Dabney Friedrich dismissed Alvin Brown’s race-bias suit (Oct 31, 2026)25,127 —
NRC removal (Hanson) In force No court challenge in the record22 —
Cook (Fed) and Perlmutter (Copyright Office) Blocked (Trump v. Cook; pause denied in Blanche v. Perlmutter) Both remain in office (Jun 29–30, 2026)7,40 Further rulings on the main legal questions
OGE director Unresolved Keith Sonderling acting since Jun 23, 2026; Michael Chamberlain nominated, not confirmed8,107 Senate confirmation
OSC leadership Concluded Charles Baldis installed Sept 30, 202649,120 —
Hatch Act complaints (CREW; D’Esposito) Pending (OSC) CREW complaints unresolved before the midterms; D’Esposito complaint accepted Oct 14, 202681,123,96 OSC decisions
Shutdown messages Concluded OSC declined to seek discipline (Sept 25, 2026)95 —
Gabbard whistleblower complaint Unresolved Underlying report not given to the committees as of Feb 25, 2026144 Handing over the report
DHS OIG access Unresolved No findings in the excessive-force reviews; no § 417 notice given, according to the IG82,128,130 A § 417 notice or restored access
Comptroller General Unresolved No commission meeting reported as of Oct 8, 202686 A commission recommendation under § 70392
MSPB and NLRB quorums Concluded Restored Oct 28, 2025 (MSPB, two members) and Dec 18, 2025 (NLRB)48,110,30 —
FEC quorum Pending (Senate) Feb 11, 2026 nominees not confirmed41,111 Senate confirmation
EAC commissioners Unresolved None since Jul 9, 202633 Nominations
Completed IG reports (Signal; Chavez-DeRemer; “Alligator Alcatraz”) Concluded Dec 2025; Sept 3–4, 2026; Sept 14, 202642,101,139,47 —
Open IG reviews (DOJ Epstein-files audit; USPS ballot portal) Pending (DOJ OIG; USPS OIG) Opened Apr 2026 and Aug–Sept 2026; USPS IG’s primary-mail report says August allegations will be covered in later work (Sept 4, 2026)43,46,145 Reports
Watchdog-group IG requests (Doral, Kupor, Trump sons’ companies) Unresolved No IG result reported98,124,104 An IG review
DHS IG referral of Corey Lewandowski Pending (DOJ) DOJ investigation reported (Oct 22, 2026); no charge filed146 A DOJ decision
Senators’ Starlink request to the Pentagon IG Concluded (request declined) IG said the Department was better placed to answer (Oct 28, 2026)147 New information, which the IG said could reopen it

Who is affected

Removals and vacancies reach the offices that audit federal agencies. Through them, they reach the employees, complainants and members of the public who use inspector general (IG) hotlines and reports.2,54,57 Budget and access limits reach IG staff at the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).56,82 Boards without quorums left workers, employers and campaigns without decisions in pending cases. The agency that certifies voting systems has no commissioners.3,34,50,51 IG and Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports completed in 2026 described conditions for immigration detainees, delays for DHS whistleblowers and contract cancellations at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA disputed that its cuts affected care.83,47,87,89

Key players

Related: Federal Reserve Independence (the Fed exception), Federal Actions on Election Administration and The 2026 Midterms (the EAC), Prosecutions and Investigations of Trump Critics (Fannie Mae), FCC Actions and Press Access (EO 14215).

Chronology

Sources

  1. NPR: Trump fires inspectors general · Washington Post: Trump fires inspectors general at federal agencies · Timeline 2025-01-24 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  2. Federal News Network: Trump unlawfully fired 17 agency IGs, judge finds, but won’t reinstate them · Timeline 2025-01-24 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩

  3. NPR: Trump fires EEOC and labor board officials, setting up legal fight · Timeline 2025-01-27 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩↩

  4. NOTUS (via Washington Sun): Trump nominates two Republicans to FEC · FEC: All commissioners · Timeline 2025-04-30 → ledger ↩↩↩

  5. Supreme Court: Trump v. Wilcox order, 24A966 (PDF) · Timeline 2025-05-22 → ledger ↩↩↩

  6. Supreme Court: Trump v. Boyle order, 25A11 (PDF) · NBC News: Supreme Court allows Trump to fire members of product safety agency · Timeline 2025-07-23 → ledger ↩↩↩

  7. Reuters: Supreme Court backs Trump’s firing of FTC member · NBC News: Court rejects Cook firing, grants power over other agencies · Timeline 2026-06-29 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩

  8. OGE: President Trump has nominated Michael Chamberlain for OGE Director, and names Acting Director (Sonderling acting from Jun 23, 2026) · OGE: Eric Ueland designated as OGE’s Acting Director · Timeline 2025-02-10 → ledger ↩↩

  9. Military Times: Senate confirms senior VA advisor to become next department watchdog · Timeline 2025-07-31 → ledger ↩↩↩

  10. Axios: What is Humphrey’s Executor · Timeline 2025-03-21 → ledger ↩

  11. CNBC: Ingrassia withdraws after racist texts flap · Bloomberg Law: Trump’s Special Counsel nominee withdraws · Timeline 2025-05-29 → ledger ↩↩

  12. OGE: News release, Feb 10, 2025 · Timeline 2025-02-10 → ledger ↩↩

  13. CNN: Trump’s conflicts of interest and the presidential exemption · Timeline 2025-06-13 → ledger ↩

  14. Nextgov: Trump axes Democrats on intelligence and privacy oversight board · Lawfare: Trump’s sacking of PCLOB members threatens data privacy · Timeline 2025-01-27 → ledger ↩

  15. CNN: The federal board that protects workers does not exist, at least for now · Timeline 2025-02-15 → ledger ↩↩↩

  16. HuffPost: Jamieson Greer’s other jobs · Timeline 2025-02-10 → ledger ↩↩

  17. SCOTUSblog: Supreme Court dismisses effort to reinstate watchdog head as defunct · NPR: Supreme Court and Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger · Timeline 2025-02-21 → ledger ↩

  18. Reuters (via Yahoo): Judge says Trump cannot fire Democratic member of federal labor board · Timeline 2025-02-11 → ledger ↩

  19. Guardian: Trump ordered to reinstate thousands of agriculture department employees · Timeline 2025-02 (mid) → ledger ↩

  20. White House: Fact sheet, President Trump reins in independent agencies · Washington Post: Trump executive order on FCC, FTC, SEC · Timeline 2025-02-18 → ledger ↩

  21. Ballotpedia News: President Trump fires the two Democratic FTC commissioners · Hogan Lovells: Shakeup at the FTC · Timeline 2025-03-21 → ledger ↩↩

  22. NPR: President Trump fires a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission · Timeline 2025-06-13 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  23. TechCrunch: Appeals court says NLRB structure unconstitutional, in a win for SpaceX · Holland & Knight: Analysis of SpaceX v. NLRB (5th Cir. No. 24-50627) · Timeline 2025-08-19 → ledger ↩↩

  24. AP (via Yahoo): NTSB member says he was fired without explanation · Timeline 2025 (mid) → ledger ↩↩

  25. Bloomberg Law: Trump’s firing of Black NTSB member survives race bias lawsuit · Timeline 2025 (mid) → ledger ↩↩

  26. Reuters (via Q1019): “Assault on oversight”: Hegseth overhaul of military watchdogs spurs concern · Federal News Network: Hegseth’s push to tighten IG timelines is a way to “make complaints go away” · Timeline 2025-09-30 → ledger ↩↩

  27. WSJ: Trump administration fires Fannie Mae ethics officials · CBS News: Swalwell referral (Jeffries on IG firing) · Timeline 2025-10-30 → ledger ↩

  28. Scotsman Guide: FHFA watchdog accuses Pulte of “unprecedented” obstruction · National Mortgage News: FHFA inspector general is gone amid wider changes · Timeline 2026-10-30 → ledger ↩↩

  29. ABC News: OSC opens Hatch Act probe of Jack Smith · CNN: Watchdog launches probe of Jack Smith · Timeline 2025-08-02 → ledger ↩↩

  30. Labor Relations Law Insider (Husch Blackwell): NLRB quorum restored and general counsel confirmed · Timeline 2025-02-15 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  31. SCOTUSblog: Supreme Court allows Trump to fire FTC commissioner · Timeline 2025-09-22 → ledger ↩↩

  32. C-SPAN: Trump v. Slaughter oral argument · Ballotpedia News: Supreme Court hears arguments on limits to presidential removal power · Timeline 2025-12-08 → ledger ↩

  33. NPR: Trump cleans house at the bipartisan Election Assistance Commission · Guardian: Trump fires last members of election commission · Timeline 2026-07-09 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  34. Federal News Network: MSPB faces high workload, low staffing levels · Timeline 2025-02 (mid) → ledger ↩↩↩

  35. Guardian: EEOC seeks to dismiss gender-identity discrimination cases · Timeline 2025-02-14 → ledger ↩

  36. Reason: Trump backs Section 702 reauthorization after once calling to kill FISA · Timeline 2026-03-27 → ledger ↩↩

  37. Government Executive: Trump’s IG pick at the VA is “watering down” oversight, some employees allege · Timeline 2025-07-31 → ledger ↩

  38. Reuters (via Yahoo): Court says Trump can remove Democrat from labor board, for now · Timeline 2025-02-11 → ledger ↩↩

  39. VitalLaw/Cybersecurity Policy Report: Appeals court agrees to quickly rule on fired privacy board members · Brennan Center: LeBlanc v. PCLOB · Timeline 2025-01-27 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  40. Supreme Court: Docket 25A478 (Blanche v. Perlmutter) · Timeline 2025-11-26 → ledger ↩↩↩

  41. CBS News: Weeks before Election Day, the nation’s campaign finance regulator can’t enforce the law · Timeline 2025-02-06 → ledger ↩↩↩

  42. CNN: Report on Hegseth’s Signal use · Defense News: IG finds Hegseth risked endangering Houthi mission with Signal use · Timeline 2025-12-03 → ledger ↩↩

  43. DOJ OIG: Audit announcement on Epstein Files Transparency Act compliance (PDF) · Timeline 2026-04-23 → ledger ↩↩

  44. NBC News: Chavez-DeRemer resigns amid misconduct probe · NBC News: Labor Department staffers on leave amid IG investigation · Timeline 2026-04-20 → ledger ↩

  45. Government Executive: Postal inspectors aren’t being pulled from mail-crime work for immigration enforcement, IG reports · Timeline 2025-04 (late) → ledger ↩

  46. Guardian: New system for screening mail-in ballots risks denying entire batches, says whistleblower · Timeline 2026-09-13 → ledger ↩↩

  47. NBC News: DHS watchdog finds immigrants held in outdoor cages at Alligator Alcatraz · Timeline 2026-09-14 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  48. MSPB: Board members · Timeline 2025-02 (mid) → ledger ↩↩↩

  49. U.S. Office of Special Counsel (osc.gov) · Timeline 2025-05-29 → ledger ↩↩↩

  50. Campaigns & Elections: Former Republican FEC officials push Senate to confirm Trump’s nominees · Timeline 2025-04-30 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  51. EAC: Commission Operations in the Absence of Commissioners (Aug 2026, PDF) · Timeline 2026-07-09 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩

  52. Public Citizen: Undoing Accountability — an update on Trump’s attacks on inspectors general · AP: White House fires USAID inspector general after warning about funding oversight · Timeline 2025-02-11 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩

  53. Government Executive: 2 independent watchdogs quietly replaced by Trump · Government Executive: Housing regulator watchdog ousted, another in Trump’s ongoing replacement of acting IGs · Government Executive: Trump’s new Education IG nominee continues dizzying run of leadership changes · Timeline 2025-05-23 → ledger ↩↩↩

  54. FEDmanager: White House moves to defund key oversight office; websites go dark · Nextgov/FCW: Trump administration knocks out at least 15 oversight websites, saying IGs “lied to the public” · Public Citizen: Undoing Accountability · Timeline 2025-09-26 → ledger ↩↩↩

  55. Government Executive: Trump fires another inspector general, raising fears about oversight independence · Timeline 2025-10-15 → ledger ↩↩↩

  56. National Mortgage News: FHFA inspector general is gone amid wider changes · Government Executive: Housing finance agency chief moves to slash watchdog’s budget, leading Democrats to demand his resignation · Timeline 2025-11-03 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩

  57. Public Citizen: Undoing Accountability — an update on Trump’s attacks on inspectors general · Oversight.gov: Inspector General vacancies · Timeline 2026-01-05 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  58. GAO: Education IG Vacancies Act violation (B-338093) · GAO: Commerce IG Vacancies Act violation (B-338097) · Timeline 2026-09-17 → ledger ↩↩

  59. Supreme Court: Trump v. Slaughter, No. 25-332, 609 U.S. 422 (June 29, 2026) legal authority ↩

  60. Cornell LII: Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, 295 U.S. 602 (1935) legal authority ↩

  61. Cornell LII: 5 U.S.C. § 403, Appointments (Inspector General Act of 1978, as codified at 5 U.S.C. §§ 401–424) — legal authority (text of the provision; § 403(b) requires written reasons to both Houses 30 days before removal, and the “substantive rationale, including detailed and case-specific reasons” language added by Pub. L. 117-263 § 5202 appears in the page’s amendment notes) ↩↩

  62. Cornell LII: 29 U.S.C. § 153, National Labor Relations Board — legal authority (text of the provision; § 153(a) removal “for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office, but for no other cause”; § 153(b) three-member quorum) ↩

  63. Cornell LII: 5 U.S.C. § 7323, Political activity authorized; prohibitions (Hatch Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 7321–7326) legal authority ↩↩

  64. Cornell LII: 18 U.S.C. § 208, Acts affecting a personal financial interest — legal authority (text of the provision; the President is excluded from “officer or employee” for § 208 by 18 U.S.C. § 202(c)) ↩

  65. Supreme Court: Trump v. Wilcox, No. 24A966 (May 22, 2025) legal authority ↩

  66. Cornell LII: 42 U.S.C. § 5841, Establishment and transfers (Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, § 201) — legal authority (text of the provision; § 5841(e) removal “for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office”) ↩

  67. Supreme Court: Trump v. Boyle, No. 25A11 (July 23, 2025) legal authority ↩

  68. Cornell LII: U.S. Constitution, Article II legal authority ↩

  69. U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit: Space Exploration Technologies Corp. v. NLRB, No. 24-50627 (Aug 19, 2025) (PDF) legal authority ↩

  70. Cornell LII: 5 U.S.C. § 3346, Time limitation (Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, 5 U.S.C. §§ 3345–3349d) legal authority ↩

  71. Supreme Court: Trump v. Cook, No. 25A312 (June 29, 2026) legal authority ↩

  72. Supreme Court: Docket 25A478 (Blanche v. Perlmutter), stay denied June 30, 2026 legal authority ↩

  73. Brennan Center: LeBlanc v. U.S. Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (D.C. Cir. No. 25-5197) legal authority ↩

  74. Cornell LII: 52 U.S.C. § 20928, Requiring majority approval for actions (Help America Vote Act § 208; EAC established by 52 U.S.C. § 20921) legal authority ↩

  75. Cornell LII: Bostock v. Clayton County, No. 17-1618, 590 U.S. 644 (2020) legal authority ↩

  76. Cornell LII: 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2, Unlawful employment practices (Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII) legal authority ↩

  77. Cornell LII: 50 U.S.C. § 1881a, Procedures for targeting certain persons outside the United States other than United States persons (FISA § 702) legal authority ↩

  78. Supreme Court: Docket 24A790 (Bessent v. Dellinger), application held in abeyance Feb 21, 2025, denied as moot Mar 6, 2025 legal authority ↩

  79. Democracy Docket: Washington, D.C. FEC independence challenge · Timeline 2025-02-18 → ledger ↩

  80. Washington Sun: Trump taps former principal for agency watchdog · Timeline 2025-05-23 → ledger ↩↩↩

  81. CREW: Hatch Act complaint against Lutnick · CREW: complaint against Stephen Miller · CREW: OSC must resolve pending complaints · Timeline 2025-08-13 → ledger ↩↩↩

  82. DHS OIG letter of Mar 2, 2026, transmitted by Sen. Peters (PDF) · NBC News: DHS watchdog paused probes during shutdown · DHS OIG: Oversight reviews of immigration enforcement (Feb 5, 2026, PDF) · Timeline 2026-01-08 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩↩

  83. DHS OIG: OIG-26-29 Krome · DHS OIG: OIG-27-01 El Paso EHF · DHS OIG: OIG-26-18 eHR · DHS OIG: OIG-26-37 detention space contracts · Timeline 2026-05-28 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  84. Commerce OIG: Top Management and Performance Challenges FY2027 (OIG-27-001) · Timeline 2026-10-01 → ledger ↩

  85. GAO-26-108131: Treasury Needs to Fully Implement Data Protection Controls · Timeline 2026-04-28 → ledger · GAO-26-108403: DOGE personnel and ethics activities · FedScoop: GAO on DOGE ethics training and disclosures · Timeline 2026-08-05 → ledger · GAO-26-108192 · FedScoop: Agencies largely stonewall GAO on DOGE audit · Timeline 2026-09-29 → ledger ↩↩↩

  86. Washington Sun: Trump floats Vought deputy to lead GAO · Timeline 2026-10-08 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  87. GAO-26-108106 · Timeline 2026-09-17 → ledger ↩↩↩

  88. Executive Functions (Jack Goldsmith): Inspectors general live · Oversight Matters, Oct 6 2026 · Timeline 2026-09-09 → ledger ↩

  89. Government Executive: VA’s contracting crackdown · Timeline 2026-09-24 → ledger ↩↩↩

  90. Government Executive: Watchdogs find problems with foreign affairs agency reorganizations · Timeline 2026-09 (late) → ledger ↩

  91. Cornell LII: 5 U.S.C. § 417, Special provisions concerning the Department of Homeland Security — legal authority (text of the provision; § 417(a)(2)–(3): Secretary may bar an audit or investigation on listed grounds and must notify the IG in writing within 7 days) ↩↩

  92. Cornell LII: 31 U.S.C. § 703, Comptroller General and Deputy Comptroller General — legal authority (text of the provision; § 703(a)(3): commission recommends at least three individuals) ↩↩

  93. FedScoop: CFPB cybersecurity program watchdog report · Timeline 2026-10-29 → ledger ↩

  94. NOTUS: Bedford’s Republic stock sale (Apr 10, 2026) · CREW: hold Bedford accountable (May 19, 2026) · Timeline 2025-12 → ledger ↩

  95. Government Executive: Watchdog won’t discipline agencies over partisan shutdown posts · Timeline 2026-09-25 → ledger ↩↩

  96. Raw Story: D’Esposito complaint accepted · Timeline 2026-10-15 → ledger · CREW: CIGIE must investigate D’Esposito · Timeline 2026-01-05 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩

  97. Oversight Matters, Nov 3 2026 (citing The Hill) · Timeline 2026-08 → ledger ↩↩

  98. CREW: IG investigations into possible emoluments violations at DHS and State (Feb 3, 2026) · Timeline 2025-09-05 → ledger · CREW: complaint on DOE official (Jan 27, 2026) · Timeline 2026-01-27 → ledger · CREW: Interior IG should investigate contracts (Jun 25, 2026) · Timeline 2026-06-25 → ledger · CREW: Fed watchdog should investigate Bowman dinner (Jul 9, 2026) · Timeline 2026-07-09 → ledger · CREW: Trump appointee reportedly demanded special firefighting treatment (Aug 17, 2026) · Timeline 2026-07 → ledger · CREW: IG must investigate Kupor (Aug 21, 2026) · Timeline 2026-08-21 → ledger · American Oversight: Watchdog seeks IG probe after records show Ogles’s lawyer asked Ed Martin to end DOJ investigation · Timeline 2026-05 → ledger ↩↩

  99. Cornell LII: 5 U.S.C. § 406, Authority of Inspector General — legal authority (text of the provision; § 406(a)(1)(A): “timely access to all records”) ↩

  100. Cornell LII: 31 U.S.C. § 716, Availability of information and inspection of records legal authority ↩

  101. Seattle Red: Watchdog rips ex-Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer · Congress.net: Inspector General report brands former Labor Secretary’s office “toxic and humiliating” · Timeline 2026-04-20 → ledger ↩↩

  102. Defense News: Watchdog to investigate Hegseth’s sharing of airstrike info on Signal · Timeline 2025-04-03 → ledger ↩

  103. CBS News: Intelligence watchdog shares whistleblower complaint involving Gabbard with Congress after monthslong delay · Timeline 2026-02-02 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  104. House Oversight Democrats: Garcia, Warren, Blumenthal, Duckworth urge DoD watchdog to investigate $3.2 billion in government awards to companies tied to Trump sons · Timeline 2026-08-05 → ledger ↩↩

  105. Cornell LII: 50 U.S.C. § 3033, Inspector General of the Intelligence Community — legal authority (text of the provision; § 3033(k)(5)(D) lets a complainant contact the intelligence committees, with the Director’s direction “on how to contact the congressional intelligence committees”) ↩

  106. OGE: Eric Ueland designated as OGE’s Acting Director · Timeline 2025-08-25 → ledger ↩

  107. OGE: President Trump has nominated Michael Chamberlain for OGE Director, and names Acting Director · Timeline 2026-06-23 → ledger ↩↩↩

  108. Reuters (via Yahoo): Judge says Trump cannot fire Democratic member of federal labor board · Timeline 2025-03-12 → ledger ↩

  109. Reuters (via Yahoo): Court says Trump can remove Democrat from labor board, for now · Timeline 2025-07-03 → ledger ↩↩↩

  110. MSPB: Board members · Timeline 2025-10-28 → ledger ↩↩

  111. NOTUS (via Washington Sun): Trump nominates two Republicans to FEC · Campaigns & Elections: Former Republican FEC officials push Senate to confirm Trump’s nominees · Timeline 2026-02-11 → ledger ↩↩↩

  112. Government Executive: Postal inspectors aren’t being pulled from mail-crime work for immigration enforcement, IG reports · Timeline 2026-08-24 → ledger ↩

  113. Government Executive: 2 independent watchdogs quietly replaced by Trump · Timeline 2025-06-04 → ledger ↩

  114. Government Executive: New watchdog at Education Department may have shared pro-Trump social media posts · Timeline 2025-11-07 → ledger ↩

  115. Government Executive: Trump’s new Education IG nominee continues dizzying run of leadership changes · Timeline 2026-09-17 → ledger ↩

  116. Government Executive: Trump’s new Education IG nominee continues dizzying run of leadership changes · Timeline 2026-09-28 → ledger ↩↩

  117. Washington Sun: Trump taps former principal for agency watchdog · Government Executive: Trump’s new Education IG nominee continues dizzying run of leadership changes · Timeline 2026-10-26 → ledger ↩↩

  118. CNBC: Ingrassia withdraws after racist texts flap · Timeline 2025-10-20 → ledger ↩

  119. Bloomberg Law: Trump’s Special Counsel nominee withdraws · CNBC: Ingrassia withdraws after racist texts flap · Timeline 2025-10-21 → ledger ↩

  120. U.S. Office of Special Counsel (osc.gov) · Timeline 2026-09-30 → ledger ↩↩

  121. Government Executive: Trump’s IG pick at the VA is ‘watering down’ oversight, some employees allege · Timeline 2026-10-20 → ledger ↩

  122. CREW: complaint against Stephen Miller · Timeline 2026-06-01 → ledger ↩

  123. CREW: OSC must resolve pending complaints · Timeline 2026-08-20 → ledger ↩↩

  124. CREW: IG investigations into possible emoluments violations at DHS and State (Feb 3, 2026) · Timeline 2026-02-03 → ledger ↩↩

  125. Government Executive: Housing finance agency chief moves to slash watchdog’s budget, leading Democrats to demand his resignation · Timeline 2026-09-30 → ledger ↩↩↩

  126. AP (via Yahoo): NTSB member says he was fired without explanation · Timeline 2026-03-06 → ledger ↩

  127. Bloomberg Law: Trump’s firing of Black NTSB member survives race bias lawsuit · Timeline 2026-10-31 → ledger ↩

  128. DHS OIG letter of Mar 2, 2026, transmitted by Sen. Peters (PDF) · Timeline 2026-03-02 → ledger ↩↩

  129. NBC News: DHS watchdog paused probes during shutdown · Timeline 2026-04-10 → ledger ↩↩

  130. DHS OIG: Evaluation of use of force against ICE detainees (Jun 24, 2026, PDF) · Timeline 2026-06-24 → ledger ↩↩↩

  131. DHS OIG: OIG-26-18 eHR · Timeline 2026-07-23 → ledger ↩

  132. DHS OIG: OIG-26-29 Krome · Timeline 2026-09-11 → ledger ↩↩

  133. DHS OIG: OIG-26-37 detention space contracts · Timeline 2026-09-28 → ledger ↩

  134. DHS OIG: OIG-27-01 El Paso EHF · DHS OIG: Ongoing projects · Timeline 2026-10-26 → ledger ↩↩

  135. American Oversight: Watchdog seeks IG probe after records show Ogles’s lawyer asked Ed Martin to end DOJ investigation · Timeline 2026-10-22 → ledger ↩

  136. CREW: Trump appointee reportedly demanded special firefighting treatment (Aug 17, 2026) · Timeline 2026-08-17 → ledger ↩

  137. Democracy Docket: Washington, D.C. FEC independence challenge · Timeline 2025-02-28 → ledger ↩

  138. Democracy Docket: Washington, D.C. FEC independence challenge · Timeline 2025-06-03 → ledger ↩

  139. Seattle Red: Watchdog rips ex-Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer · Congress.net: Inspector General report brands former Labor Secretary’s office “toxic and humiliating” · Timeline 2026-09-03 → ledger ↩↩

  140. AP: White House fires USAID inspector general after warning about funding oversight · Timeline 2025-02-10 → ledger ↩

  141. Nextgov/FCW: Trump administration knocks out at least 15 oversight websites, saying IGs “lied to the public” · FEDmanager: White House moves to defund key oversight office; websites go dark · Timeline 2025-10-01 → ledger ↩↩

  142. Sens. Collins & Grassley: letter to OMB Director Vought on CIGIE/PRAC apportionments (Sep 29 2025, PDF) · Timeline 2025-09-29 → ledger ↩

  143. Public Citizen: Undoing Accountability · Timeline 2025-11 (mid) → ledger ↩↩↩

  144. House Intelligence Committee Democrats: Himes, Warner demand answers from DNI Gabbard on delayed whistleblower complaint and withheld intelligence report · Timeline 2026-02-25 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  145. USPS OIG: Processing of Election and Political Mail for the 2026 Primary Elections (Report 26-054-R26, PDF) · Timeline 2026-09-04 → ledger ↩↩

  146. CBS News: DOJ investigating Trump ally Corey Lewandowski over role at DHS, sources say · NBC Washington (NBC News): DHS watchdog refers its Corey Lewandowski investigation to Justice Department for review · Timeline 2026-10-22 → ledger ↩↩↩

  147. Ukrainska Pravda/AP (via Yahoo): Pentagon watchdog refuses to investigate Starlink restrictions for Ukraine · Timeline 2026-10-28 → ledger ↩↩