Acting Pentagon Inspector General Glenn Fine, whose job was to oversee funding for the $2 trillion stimulus package has abruptly, and without reason, been ousted by President Donald Trump.
Following Trump’s dismissals of other independent inspectors general across the federal government, his removal arrives just days after he was appointed to lead the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee.
Dwrena Allen, a spokesperson for the Defense Department’s Inspector General stated, “Mr. Fine is no longer on the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee [and now] reverts to his position as the Principal Deputy Inspector General.” Fine’s removal from his Pentagon job means he now has zero oversight of the committee.
Furthermore, the Democratic chairwoman of the House Oversight Committee, Rep. Carolyn Maloney of New York, claimed, “[Fine’s removal is] a direct insult to the American taxpayers — of all political stripes — who want to make sure their tax dollars are not squandered on wasteful boondoggles, incompetence, or political favors.”
She adds, “President Trump has been engaged in an assault against independent Inspectors General since last Friday in order to undermine oversight of his chaotic and deficient response to the coronavirus crisis.”
She continues, “[Fine] was fully supported by Congress and the Inspector General Community. President Trump’s actions are a blatant attempt to degrade the independence of Inspectors General who serve as checks against waste, fraud, and abuse.”
