By Mike Spector
NEW YORK (Reuters) -A federal judge on Wednesday declined to reinstate eight inspectors general despite finding U.S. President Donald Trump unlawfully fired them by failing to notify Congress and justify their removals.
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes in Washington found that Trump violated a Watergate-era federal law when dismissing the agency watchdogs without providing Congress with a required 30-day notice and rationale for the terminations. The inspectors general also advanced “compelling arguments” that they should be reinstated, the judge said.
But Reyes ruled that the inspectors general had not suffered the necessary irreparable harm requiring they be reinstated. She also noted that even if she did reinstate them, Trump could still lawfully remove them after 30 days by providing required notice and rationale to Congress.
The inspectors general, who policed waste, fraud and abuse at agencies including the U.S. Departments of Defense, State, Education, Agriculture and Health and Human Services, demonstrated “exceptional service as IGs, marked by decades of distinguished leadership across multiple administrations,” the judge said in her 20-page decision. “They deserved better from their government. They still do.”
The judge began her decision by recounting the Watergate burglary that led to then-President Richard Nixon’s resignation. Congress passed the Inspector General Act in 1978, creating independent government watchdogs inside federal agencies.
She then described details of the work performed by each of the suing inspectors general.
“President Trump violated the IGA,” Reyes said, referring to the Watergate-era law. “That much is obvious.”
The current case stems from Trump’s firing of at least 17 inspectors general soon after starting his second White House stint. Eight of them sued Trump and cabinet officials in February, alleging their removals were illegal and seeking reinstatement. They are also seeking back pay.
Reyes stayed the case pending the outcome of a Supreme Court case regarding Trump’s removal of a Federal Trade Commission leader, which she said could have bearing on the inspectors general litigation.
(Reporting by Mike SpectorEditing by Bill Berkrot)
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