January 25, 2025: Donald Trump presidency news

President Donald Trump fired the inspectors general from over a dozen federal agencies in a Friday night purge, according to a Trump administration official, paving the way for him to install his own picks overseeing the agencies.

The firings have prompted concern from some GOP senators, who said Congress wasn’t given the requisite 30 days notice from the White House.

CNN has reached out to the White House for comment.

Here’s the latest:

Top agencies affected: The inspectors general were terminated from the State Department, Department of Transportation, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Defense Department, Interior Department, and Environmental Protection Agency, among others.

What Republicans are saying: Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, a longtime proponent of inspectors general, said he is seeking “further explanation” from Trump. Grassley said there was no notice provided to Congress on the firings — which is required by law.

​Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville told CNN he does not question Trump’s decision, even though it was made without informing Congress.

Senate Homeland Security Chair Rand Paul told CNN he has not looked at Trump’s decision but believes the president has the power to dismiss the watchdogs.

“If there’s a process that has to happen, maybe the process, you know, needs to be done correctly. But as far as having the power, I think he ultimately does have the power to replace many of the inspector generals, and think some do need to be replaced,” Paul said.

Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski noted the dismissals were “pretty broad, widespread across many agencies.”

Maine Sen. Susan Collins also expressed concern with the firings, arguing that the act of dismissing inspectors general does not match Trump’s stated goal of ending corruption.

“I don’t understand why one would fire individuals whose mission is to root out waste, fraud and abuse,” she said.

What Democrats are saying: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it a “chilling purge,” warning that the firings could kick off “a golden age for abuse in government, and even corruption.”

His Democratic colleague Sen. Elizabeth Warren said Trump “is dismantling checks on his power.”

Protections: Congress has guardrails intended to protect inspectors general, with a law requiring the White House to provide substantive rationale for terminating any IG.