Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), a longtime ally of President-elect Donald Trump, has issued a rare warning to Trump regarding potential plans to fire government inspectors general en masse. Inspectors generally play a critical role in investigating misconduct within executive branch agencies, and Grassley emphasized their importance during an interview with Politico.
When asked whether Trump should heed the advice of some allies and conduct a purge of inspectors general, Grassley’s response was blunt: “No, he should not.” Despite his general support for Trump, Grassley made it clear that he would push back if such a move were attempted, stating, “I work closely with all the inspector generals, and I think I’ve got a good reputation for defending them. And I intend to defend them.”
Grassley’s remarks come as Trump allies reportedly encourage the president-elect to remove oversight officials who might hinder his administration’s agenda. While Grassley largely stayed quiet when Trump fired several inspectors general during his first term, his recent comments suggest a more proactive stance this time around.
“I guess it’s the case of whether he believes in congressional oversight,” Grassley said, implying that Trump’s decisions on this matter will be a test of his commitment to government accountability. However, Grassley’s position has drawn some scrutiny. Last week, he sent a letter to every inspector general in the federal government demanding information about sexual harassment settlements involving employees in their offices.
According to Politico, this move “seemed to raise the possibility he could be gathering data that Trump’s team could use to target specific IG offices.” This dual approach has led some to question whether Grassley’s stated defense of inspectors general aligns with his recent actions.
Grassley’s history with inspectors general is well-documented, as he has often championed their role in maintaining government transparency. However, the senator’s latest steps, such as requesting potentially damaging information about IG offices, could be seen as enabling efforts to undermine the very officials he says he intends to protect.
As Trump prepares to take office, Grassley’s warning adds another layer to the ongoing debate about the independence of government watchdogs. Whether Trump will heed Grassley’s advice—or if Grassley will maintain his stance if a firing spree begins—remains to be seen. For now, the senator’s message to Trump is unequivocal: “He should not.”