Fired USDA official defies Trump, refuses to vacate office

• USDA Inspector-General Phyllis Fong, a 22-year veteran of the agency, initially refused to leave her office following her termination – symbolizing resistance against President Donald Trump’s efforts to “drain the swamp.”
• The White House defended the terminations of Fong and 16 other inspectors general, claiming it was within the president’s executive authority and necessary to “put good people in there that will be very good.”
• The dismissals drew criticism from senators on both sides, including concerns over compliance with federal law and the required notice to Congress.
• The terminations were criticized for violating federal law, with the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) determining that the termination notices did not comply with legal requirements.
• Fong’s resistance highlights the ongoing struggle between the executive branch and the federal bureaucracy, emphasizing the challenges Trump faces in his efforts to “drain the swamp” and the importance of maintaining independent oversight in a functioning democracy.

In a dramatic display of resistance against President Donald Trump’s efforts to “drain the swamp,” fired U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Inspector General (IG) Phyllis Fong refused to vacate her office following her termination – leading to security being called in to escort her out.

The defiance by Fong, a 22-year veteran of the department, followed the White House’s issuance of termination notices to her and 16 other IGs on Friday, Jan. 24. The firings stemmed from concerns over their lack of impartiality and perceived biases toward the Biden administration.

She was eventually escorted by security officials out of the building on Monday, Jan. 27. But after U.S. News and World Report published the story of Fong being escorted out, a USDA spokesperson said she left the office on her own accord.

“She was accompanied by two friends who she paused to take selfies with on her way out,” the spokesperson said. “Security officials did not play any role in her departure.”

The White House defended the firings of the “rogue, partisan bureaucrats,” noting that the IGs “have been relieved of their duties to make room for qualified individuals who will uphold the rule of law and protect democracy.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt likewise defended the terminations on Tuesday, Jan. 28, telling reporters: “It is the belief of this White House and the White House counsel’s office that the president was within his executive authority.” (Related: Trump fires 17 inspectors general in sweeping government overhaul.)

Trump’s firings spark controversy

The dismissal of Fong and other IGs marks a significant moment in the ongoing battle between the second Trump administration and the Deep State. Despite resistance from Fong and other bureaucrats, the president remains resolute in his quest to “drain the swamp.”

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday, Jan. 25, that the firings were common practice. “It’s a very common thing to do,” he remarked, adding that the public can rest easy as he plans to “put put good people in there that will be very good.”

But the fired USDA IG argued that the terminations violate federal law. In an email to colleagues sent Saturday, Fong cited the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) – which determined that “these termination notices do not comply with the requirements set out in law and therefore are not effective at this time.” According to the National Pulse, CIGIE is an independent agency under the executive branch.

The terminations also drew criticism from both sides of the political aisle. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) expressed concern that the required 30-day notice was not provided to Congress.

“There may be good reason the IGs were fired. We need to know that if so,” he noted. “Regardless, the 30-day detailed notice of removal that the law demands was not provided to Congress.”

Meanwhile, Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) centered her criticism on Trump’s misplaced priorities. “Egg prices are soaring. Bird flu is out of control. USDA should be fixing this problem,” she remarked. “Instead, Trump is stacking the federal government with yes-men. He doesn’t care about your grocery prices.”

The resistance of Fong and the rest of the terminated IGs underscores the ongoing struggle between the executive branch and the federal bureaucracy. While the White House maintains that the firings are within the president’s legal bounds, the actions have drawn widespread criticism and legal scrutiny.

Their cases serve as a stark reminder of the challenges Trump faces in his efforts to “drain the swamp.” The deep-rooted resistance from within the federal bureaucracy highlights the complexity of these efforts and the importance of maintaining independent oversight in a functioning democracy.

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Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

APNews.com

USNews.com

Brighteon.com