"The removal procedure for presidentially appointed IGs is
found in Title 5, Section 403(b), which reads in part
An Inspector General may be removed from office
by the President. If an Inspector General is removed
from office or is transferred to another position or
location within an establishment, the President shall
communicate in writing the substantive rationale,
including detailed and case-specific reasons for any
such removal or transfer to both Houses of
Congress (including the appropriate congressional
committees), not later than 30 days before the
removal or transfer. Nothing in this subsection shall
prohibit a personnel action otherwise authorized by
law, other than transfer or removal."
> the President shall communicate in writing the substantive rationale, including detailed and case-specific reasons for any such removal or transfer to both Houses of Congress (including the appropriate congressional committees), not later than 30 days before the removal or transfer
So worst case, they’re legally fired a month from a few days ago and are owed back pay. This seems much ado about nothing.
Well, there's the whole Presidential obligation from the Constitution that the President "shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed". No big deal. I'm sure it's fine he can pick and choose.
Well people are also upset about the whole "President not respecting obligations to Congress" thing.
Any normal president wouldn't conduct the removal without being able to provide the substantive rationale. Which is then evidence Congress has about how the president is conducting his duties. Like "is this rationale consistent with the stated goals of increased efficiency".
Trump doesn't even care enough to make something up.
"The removal procedure for presidentially appointed IGs is found in Title 5, Section 403(b), which reads in part An Inspector General may be removed from office by the President. If an Inspector General is removed from office or is transferred to another position or location within an establishment, the President shall communicate in writing the substantive rationale, including detailed and case-specific reasons for any such removal or transfer to both Houses of Congress (including the appropriate congressional committees), not later than 30 days before the removal or transfer. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit a personnel action otherwise authorized by law, other than transfer or removal."