Former U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Inspector General Phyllis Fong was reportedly escorted from her office on Monday after refusing to comply with her termination. Fong, who served in the role for 22 years, was dismissed on Friday, January 26, 2025, as part of a broader restructuring of federal agencies by President Donald Trump’s administration.
According to Reuters, Fong informed colleagues that she intended to continue working despite her termination. Security officials allegedly removed her from the premises after she “refused to comply” with her firing. However, the USDA disputes this account, stating that Fong left voluntarily, accompanied by two friends. A USDA spokesperson told Fox News Digital that security personnel “did not play any role in her departure.”
Before her removal, Fong questioned the legality of her firing. In an email obtained by Reuters, she cited the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), which claimed that the terminations did not comply with federal law and were therefore not effective. Fong previously served as CIGIE’s first chairperson from 2008 to 2014.
Fong’s dismissal is part of a sweeping overhaul of federal agencies under the Trump administration. Since January 20, 2025, at least 17 inspectors general across multiple departments—including Defense, State, Energy, and Veterans Affairs—have been removed. The White House has also targeted officials in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) roles.
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) raised concerns over the terminations, noting that federal law requires a 30-day notice to Congress before the removal of independent watchdogs. “There may be good reason the IGs were fired. We need to know that if so,” Grassley stated. “Regardless, the 30-day detailed notice of removal that the law demands was not provided to Congress.”
Fong, originally appointed by President George W. Bush, oversaw audits and investigations into USDA programs, with a focus on preventing fraud, waste, and abuse. The USDA’s Office of Inspector General is responsible for maintaining financial integrity and ensuring compliance with federal regulations.
The Trump administration’s continued efforts to restructure federal oversight signal a broader initiative to remove officials it views as obstacles to its policy objectives.
