Senate minority leader blasts Trump over firing inspectors general

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) – The US Senate minority leader criticized President Donald Trump for sacking at least a dozen inspectors general from various parts of the government late on Friday.

"This is a chilling purge, and it’s a preview of the lawless approach Donald Trump and his administration is taking far too often,” said Chuck Schumer on Saturday of the firings of the officials, who are meant to independent watchdogs inside the government.

"These dismissals are possibly in violation of federal law, which requires Congress to have a 30-day notice of any intent to fire inspectors general," he added.

His remarks came after Trump fired some 12 to 15 independent inspectors general at important federal agencies across the administration. US presidents in general are known for making possibly unpopular moves and announcements late on Friday after many people are in bed and are focused on the weekend, not news.

"These firings are Donald Trump’s way of telling us he is terrified of accountability and is hostile to facts and to transparency," said Schumer.

Separately, Senator Susan Collins, a member of Trump's Republican Party, expressed confusion at Trump's move.

"I don't understand why one would fire individuals whose mission it is to root out waste, fraud and abuse. This leaves a gap in what I know is a priority for President Trump. So I don't understand it," she told the Senate floor.