Security personnel reportedly removed the inspector general of the U.S. Department of Agriculture from her office Monday after she refused to acknowledge that she had been fired by the Trump administration.
Reuters reported that Phyllis Fong, a 22-year veteran of the department, had told colleagues of her plans to stay on despite being terminated on Friday, arguing that the new administration did not follow the proper protocols for her removal.
Fong was among 17 inspectors general notified of their terminations that day.
“In an email to colleagues on Saturday, reviewed by Reuters, she said the independent Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency ‘has taken the position that these termination notices do not comply with the requirements set out in law and therefore are not effective at this time,’” the news outlet said.
🚨BREAKING: Security removes USDA Inspector General Phyllis Fong from her office after defying Trump’s termination orders. pic.twitter.com/4DkbRddmT4
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 29, 2025
In a Friday letter to the White House Director of Presidential Personnel, CIGIE Council Chairman Hannibal “Mike” Ware, wrote based on federal law as amended in 2022 that Trump must notify Congress 30 days before the removal of