Inspector General objects to Trump’s dismissal

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Lerato Khumalo

Noem, 53, is a staunch supporter of Trump. In her Senate hearing, she described the situation on the US southern border with Mexico as a “war zone.” Noem was at times discussed as Trump’s running mate during the election campaign, but her memoirs garnered her negative headlines: In it, Noem described how she shot her young dog, Cricket, because she wasn’t suitable as a hunting dog. She later explained that this showed her willingness to make tough decisions.

5:59 a.m.: According to a media report late last night, the Trump administration fired at least twelve inspectors general from major federal agencies. The New York Times even spoke of 17 officials. The inspectors general were notified by email from the White House personnel director. They were fired with immediate effect. This is reported by the Washington Post, citing people familiar with the situation.

Inspectors general monitor federal agencies to detect fraud, waste, or abuse. According to the report, the overnight operation affected the US Department of Defense, the State Department, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of the Interior and the Department of Energy.

5:29 a.m.: US President Donald Trump has reintroduced the so-called “Mexico City Policy”. Trump said he had directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reinstate this policy “to ensure that U.S. taxpayer dollars do not fund any organization or program that supports forced abortion or involuntary sterilization or participates in the administration of such programs.” ” Critics call the policy a “gag rule” because it is intended to silence people who support abortion rights. The so-called “Mexico City Policy” was introduced in 1984 by former Republican President Ronald Reagan.

3:55 a.m.: Controversial former television presenter Pete Hegseth will become Defense Minister under US President Donald Trump. In the end, Vice President JD Vance’s vote was needed to achieve the necessary majority in the Senate, which broke a stalemate. Three Republicans voted against Hegseth. Read more here.