1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my outrage over the continued assault on the federal government’s independent institutions, oversight mechanisms, and career workforce under the Trump administration and Russell Vought. The latest reporting on the crisis facing federal inspectors general should concern every member of Congress, regardless of political party. Inspectors general exist to provide independent oversight, uncover waste and abuse, protect taxpayer dollars, and investigate wrongdoing within federal agencies. They are supposed to be watchdogs, not political allies of whoever happens to occupy the White House. Yet that independence has been systematically undermined. Former inspectors general are now openly discussing how Congress can restore the independence of these watchdogs after the administration removed inspectors general and installed individuals with political backgrounds into positions that have historically been nonpartisan. The administration has also taken actions that threaten the funding and independence of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency. This is deeply troubling. Russell Vought should not be allowed to use the Office of Management and Budget as an instrument for dismantling the federal government from within. OMB has enormous influence over federal agencies, their budgets, their staffing, and their ability to carry out the missions Congress has entrusted to them. That power comes with a responsibility to strengthen government, not deliberately weaken it. What we are witnessing is not ordinary government reform. There is a profound difference between making government more efficient and systematically weakening the institutions responsible for ensuring that government operates lawfully, effectively, and transparently. Independent inspectors general are one of the safeguards that stand between taxpayers and corruption, fraud, waste, abuse, and political interference. When those watchdogs are removed, intimidated, defunded, or replaced with politically connected individuals, the American people lose an essential layer of accountability. And this does not exist in isolation. Across the federal government, this administration has pursued policies that have destabilized agencies, eliminated experienced career employees, weakened institutional expertise, attacked federal workers and their unions, and disrupted the ability of agencies to provide the services Americans depend upon. The consequences are not theoretical. These agencies administer Social Security, veterans benefits, disaster assistance, food and health programs, national security, environmental protections, civil rights enforcement, and countless other services that millions of Americans rely upon every day. You cannot destroy the workforce, eliminate institutional knowledge, weaken oversight, and then pretend that the government will continue functioning normally. Congress has a constitutional responsibility to act as a check on executive power. I am asking you to take that responsibility seriously. I urge you to oppose Russell Vought’s efforts to weaken or dismantle federal agencies and independent oversight. I urge you to protect the independence of inspectors general and strengthen the statutory protections that allow them to investigate wrongdoing without political interference. I urge you to reject efforts to abolish or weaken CIGIE without first establishing stronger and genuinely independent mechanisms for federal oversight. I urge you to conduct aggressive congressional oversight of the removal, replacement, funding, and political vetting of inspectors general. I urge you to protect career federal employees from politically motivated retaliation and mass workforce reductions. I urge you to demand transparency regarding this administration’s plans to restructure, eliminate, consolidate, or defund federal agencies. I urge you to protect the civil service from being transformed into a political workforce. I urge you to use Congress’s power of the purse and its oversight authority to prevent the executive branch from circumventing Congress and dismantling agencies through administrative action. The federal government belongs to the American people, not to Donald Trump, Russell Vought, or any political party. Career federal employees swear an oath to the Constitution, not to a president. Inspectors general are supposed to follow the evidence, not political orders. Federal agencies are supposed to carry out the laws passed by Congress, not become instruments for an ideological agenda to dismantle government. Congress must draw a line. I am asking you to stand up for the federal workforce, independent oversight, congressional authority, and the rule of law. Please do not allow Russell Vought and this administration to dismantle the institutions that Americans depend upon while Congress simply watches it happen. Our democracy depends upon checks and balances. Our government depends upon competent career employees. And taxpayers deserve independent watchdogs who can investigate wrongdoing without fear of political retaliation. Please use your position in Congress to defend those principles and hold this administration accountable.