By Rachael Levy
January 29, 20259:59 PM EST
Updated 6 hours ago
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seen in Washington, March 18, 2012. REUTERS/Gary Cameron/File Photo
Summary
- Fong among 17 watchdogs fired, Trump defends dismissals
- USDA inspector general's office investigates bird flu, animal abuse, food safety
- USDA inspector general's office is investigating Elon Musk's Neuralink
WASHINGTON, Jan 29 (Reuters) - 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 firing by the Trump administration, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Phyllis Fong, a 22-year veteran of the department, had earlier told colleagues that she intended to stay after the White House terminated her Friday, saying that she didn’t believe the administration had followed proper protocols, the sources said.
In an email to colleagues on Saturday, reviewed by Reuters, she said the independent Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency “has taken the position that these termination notices do not comply with the requirements set out in law and therefore are not effective at this time.”
Phyllis Fong, a 22-year veteran of the department, had earlier told colleagues that she intended to stay after the White House terminated her Friday, saying that she didn’t believe the administration had followed proper protocols, the sources said.
In an email to colleagues on Saturday, reviewed by Reuters, she said the independent Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency “has taken the position that these termination notices do not comply with the requirements set out in law and therefore are not effective at this time.”
Fong declined to comment and the Office of the Inspector General did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
After this article was published, a USDA spokesperson said Fong left the office Monday on her own accord.
