January 25, 2025
Trump fires 17 inspectors general in late-night purge, creating "climate of fear" for whistleblowers
Unlawful firing of 17 inspectors general leaves whistleblowers vulnerable and oversight gutted
🔐Ethics✊Civil Rights
Trump fired at least 17 inspectors general on January 24, 2025 via late-night emails
The firings violated the Inspector General Act requiring 30 days notice and substantive rationale to Congress
Federal Judge Ana Reyes ruled September 24, 2025 that the firings were unlawful
Judge declined to reinstate IGs, noting Trump could simply re-fire them with proper notice
DOE opened 9 times more whistleblower retaliation cases in 2025 than 2024
EPA referred 58 whistleblower retaliation complaints in FY2025 vs 9 in FY2024
Over 75% of presidentially appointed IG positions now sit vacant
🔐Ethics✊Civil Rights
Test Your Knowledge
10
Q1
Name the Supreme Court case that significantly limited federal employee speech rights when they speak pursuant to their official duties.
Q2
How does executive privilege interact with whistleblower disclosures?
Q3
What role do agency ethics officials play in whistleblower protection?
Q4
Which of these actions constitutes prohibited retaliation against whistleblowers?
Q5
What is the time limit for filing a whistleblower retaliation complaint with the Office of Special Counsel?
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Start QuizPeople, bills, and sources
President Donald Trump
Ordered the mass firing of inspectors general
Judge Ana Reyes
U.S
Government Accountability Project
Ethics organization condemning the removals
American Oversight
Investigative organization tracking the illegal firings
Partnership for Public Service
Organization tracking federal workforce departures