Table of Contents
- Latest Dismissal Sparks Concern
- Who Is Parisa Salehi?
- Pattern of Watchdog Purges
- Legal and Congressional Backlash
- Impact on Government Oversight
- Sources
Trump Fires Inspector General, Raising Oversight Alarms
In a move reigniting debate over executive accountability, President Trump has dismissed Parisa Salehi, the inspector general (IG) for the Export-Import Bank of the United States. This latest firing marks the 24th such removal of a federal watchdog under the Trump administration—raising serious concerns among lawmakers and transparency advocates.
According to two sources familiar with the matter, Salehi received an abrupt termination notice with only a vague reference to “changing administration priorities.” No formal cause or misconduct was cited.
Who Is Parisa Salehi?
Parisa Salehi is a seasoned government investigator with 15 years of experience in federal oversight roles. She previously worked at the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) before leading internal investigations at the Export-Import Bank.
During her tenure, her office reportedly saved tens of millions of dollars by uncovering fraud, waste, and abuse—earning her a reputation as a diligent and effective watchdog.
Pattern of Watchdog Purges Under Trump
Salehi’s firing is not an isolated incident. Since early 2025, the Trump administration has systematically removed or reassigned approximately two dozen inspectors general—positions created by Congress to provide independent oversight of federal agencies.
Beyond individual dismissals, the White House has also moved to defund the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), the coordinating body that supports IG operations nationwide. This defunding led to the shutdown of public IG websites and whistleblower hotlines—critical tools for transparency and accountability.
Legal and Congressional Backlash
The dismissal has drawn rare bipartisan criticism. Senator Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), a longtime advocate for government accountability, publicly questioned the legality of the move.
“Pres Trump takes an oath to uphold the constitution & the laws but he hasn’t told Congress he was firing the Ex-Im Inspector General,” Grassley wrote on social media. “The law says POTUS has to specifically inform Congress about IG firings—and unless the courts say otherwise, that’s still the law.”
Under the Inspector General Act of 1978, the president must notify Congress at least 30 days before removing an IG, citing reasons for the action. Failure to do so may constitute a violation of federal law.
Impact on Government Oversight
Watchdogs like Salehi play a crucial role in safeguarding taxpayer dollars. Their independence is designed to insulate investigations from political interference. By sidelining these officials, critics argue, the administration undermines a key pillar of democratic accountability.
“When you gut the oversight infrastructure,” said one former federal ethics official who asked not to be named, “you create an environment where waste, fraud, and abuse can flourish unchecked.”
| Action | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Firing of IGs (~24 total) | Reduced agency accountability |
| Defunding of CIGIE | Loss of public reports and whistleblower channels |
| Lack of congressional notification | Potential legal violations |
