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By Jesus Mesa and Gabe Whisnant
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Security agents escorted the inspector general of the U.S. Department of Agriculture out of her office on Monday after she refused to comply with her dismissal by the Trump administration, according to Reuters.
Newsweek reached to the Department of Agriculture for comment on Wednesday.
Why It Matters
Phyllis Fong, a 22-year veteran of the department, had informed colleagues that she planned to stay on despite the White House's decision to terminate her on Friday, arguing that the administration had not followed proper protocols, according to the report.
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In an email to colleagues on Saturday, Fong cited guidance from the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), stating that "these termination notices do not comply with the requirements set out in law and therefore are not effective at this time."
Fong was one of 17 federal watchdogs removed by Trump on Friday in what critics labeled a late-night purge. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump defended the dismissals, calling them "a very common thing to do" but did not name replacements for the vacant positions.
What To Know
Despite her termination on Friday, Fong arrived at her office as usual on Monday morning, only to be escorted out of the USDA headquarters by security agents, sources said. She has declined to comment publicly on the incident.
As USDA inspector general, she oversaw investigations into food safety, animal welfare violations, and financial audits within the department. Her office played a key role in monitoring avian influenza outbreaks, including recent cases in cattle and poultry that led to the first reported human fatality in Louisiana.
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Her office was also involved in a 2022 investigation into Elon Musk's brain implant startup, Neuralink, which remains ongoing.
The Trump administration defended its decision, with a White House spokesperson stating that the firings were necessary to replace "rogue, partisan bureaucrats" with individuals "who will uphold the rule of law and protect democracy."
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters on Friday: "I don't know them... but some people thought some were unfair, some were not doing their job. It's a very standard thing to do, very much like the U.S. attorneys."
Mark Greenblatt, former inspector general of the Interior Department, described his dismissal in a Monday CNN interview: "To get an email from the White House... on a Friday night at 7:30, I knew that couldn't be good. So I opened it up, and there was a two-sentence email... that said, 'In light of changing priorities, you are terminated from your position at the Department of the Interior effective immediately. Thank you for your service."
What Happens Next
The dismissals could face legal challenges. The CIGIE, which represents federal inspectors general, stated that the firings appear to violate federal law, sending a letter to the White House asserting that the administration's actions may not be legally binding.
Update 01/29/25 3:35 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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