Inspectors General IG

After Watergate and a series of scandals over waste in federal programs, Congress passed the Inspector General Act, signed by President Jimmy Carter on October 12, 1978, creating offices of inspector general in 12 departments and agencies. Later laws expanded the system, and there are now about 74 inspectors general, from large departments such as Defense and Health and Human Services to small boards and commissions. Most in major departments are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, and others are appointed by the heads of their agencies.

Inspectors general audit agency programs and finances, investigate allegations of fraud and misconduct by employees and contractors, and refer criminal cases to prosecutors. They issue semiannual reports to Congress and must report serious problems immediately, and they may not be prevented from carrying out an audit or investigation except in narrow national security cases. They also handle whistleblower complaints. The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, created in 2008, coordinates their work and runs Oversight.gov, which collects their reports. Together they report potential savings of tens of billions of dollars a year.

Inspectors general are supposed to be chosen for integrity and expertise without regard to political affiliation, and since 2008 the President must give Congress 30 days notice and reasons before removing one, a requirement Congress tightened in 2022 after several removals in 2020. On January 24, 2025, the President removed about 17 inspectors general at once without the advance notice, and several sued, and a federal judge later found the removals violated the law but declined to reinstate them. Supporters said the President needs authority over officials in the executive branch, while critics said the firings weakened independent oversight.