USDA Inspector General Escorted Out After Refusal to Accept Dismissal
2025-02-01
Security personnel escorted the USDA Inspector General, Phyllis Fong, from her office this week after she refused to comply with her dismissal by the Trump administration. Fong, a 22-year veteran of the department, argued the administration hadn't followed proper procedure, citing a council that deemed the termination notices legally invalid. The White House defended the dismissals, claiming they were necessary to replace “rogue, partisan bureaucrats.” Fong oversaw a wide range of responsibilities, including investigations into Neuralink and animal abuse cases. Her dismissal was part of a larger purge of federal watchdogs, drawing criticism as a politically motivated act.