President Donald Trump’s decision to fire several Inspectors General (IGs) from key federal agencies has prompted a flurry of public statements about government accountability and the need for independent oversight in the United States. Among those affected are the inspectors general of the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), whose positions are critical to ensuring trust, efficiency, and ethics in government. The move has raised serious concerns about the potential impact on these agencies, their policies, and the people they serve, including military personnel and veterans.

Why are inspectors general so important?

Inspectors General are like watchdogs for federal agencies. Their job is to uncover issues such as fraud, waste, abuse and misconduct and report their findings to Congress and the public. They were created to ensure that government agencies operate honestly and transparently. The DoD IG, for example, is responsible for overseeing one of the world’s largest organizations, ensuring that the defence budget is used responsibly and that military operations follow ethical guidelines. They also protect whistleblowers. On his turn, the VA IG ensures that health care and benefits for millions of veterans meet the highest standards. This is just one part of their remit.

The immediate firing of these officials without clear and solid reasons undermines the checks and balances they provide. President Trump defended his decision to fire them as a normal course of action during a leadership transition. At the same time, he added that these individuals were also underperforming. However, critics of various kinds have argued in various media outlets that the firings were too abrupt and lacked the necessary transparency required by federal law. They primarily point to a 30-day notice to Congress with proper justification. Others suggest that the firings may have been politically motivated, especially since some of the IGs were reportedly involved in investigations that may not have been in line with the administration’s agenda.

What does this mean for the armed forces and its personnel as well as for veterans?

The loss of an independent and competent IG is a painful and life-changing event for the military. The DoD relies on its IG to ensure that its budgets, operations, and policies are managed and enforced ethically and effectively. Without the IG’s serious oversight, there is a greater risk of fraud, corruption, and waste, which in turn could weaken the readiness and effectiveness of the military. It also sends a disturbing message to military personnel. They may feel that honesty and accountability are no longer a priority , which could have dire consequences given their role and standing. Equally important are the whistleblowers who also need to be able to rely on the protection of the IG. Potential whistleblowers may now consider twice about speaking out, knowing that they could face retaliation and that the guarantees they were given may no longer be honoured.

But the masses of Veterans are also at serious and troubling risk. The VA IG plays a key role in maintaining the quality of health care and the benefits programs that are already in question. Without a strong IG, the myriad problems that arise such as delays in their necessary medical care, frequent mismanagement of their benefits, or the frequent occurrence of objectionable living conditions in VA facilities can go unnoticed. Consequently, Veteran’s confidence in the institutions is undermined – the institutions that are supposed to serve them – and makes it even more difficult for them to receive proper and timely care, as well as the resources they deserve.

Let’s take a broader perspective from Europe

From a European perspective, these developments are worrying. Oversight and accountability of and in defence and security administrations are seen as essential principles of management and control. Through initiatives such as the International Conference of Ombuds Institutions for the Armed Forces (ICOAF), organised by DCAF Geneva, we have long stressed the importance of independent, well-structured and competent oversight bodies. Although organisations such as the OSCE or DCAF, given their specific nature, do not comment directly on specific (political) national situations, they emphasise in their activities and positions the universal need for strong, independent ombuds institutions, such as Inspectors General and other similar bodies or mandates.

EUROMIL, which has been actively involved in ICOAF since its first conference, has consistently stressed the crucial role of these institutions. They ensure transparency and fairness and work closely with military staff associations and trade unions to the extent possible and desirable, to promote democratic internal and external control over the armed forces. Although EUROMIL does not have the capacity and in-depth knowledge to extensively analyse the situation in the US , we believe it is important to continue to monitor these changes critically. The weakening of independent oversight of the armed forces and veterans’ institutions is a red flag and the international community must keep a close eye on developments. The US has always been a model of transparency and accountability and could serve as a model in certain situations. Any move that would abandon or fundamentally change these principles could set a worrying precedent worldwide and serve as a bad example for others.

Some considerations to conclude!

The impact of these layoffs goes beyond the immediate consequences for the Department of Defense and the military or veterans services themselves. Future inspectors general, including those outside the US, may feel pressured to align their work with political expectations to avoid being laid off. This could be a major disincentive to conduct difficult and challenging investigations and follow-up recommendations. For military personnel and veterans, this could mean a steady decline in the quality of service and support they deserve.

In the US, the question is whether courts and other independent bodies will step in to hold these actions accountable. If these dismissals, as suggested in the media and by various authorities, turn out to be in violation of federal law, it will be up to the judiciary to enforce consequences and prevent similar actions in the future. Various advocacy groups, the media and civil society will likely play a crucial role in pushing for more transparency and a change in the decisions made.

The core debate is that this situation challenges the values of accountability, transparency and independence of government. The military, its personnel and veterans are essentially the core group that has the most to lose if independent oversight is weakened. While the US political establishment wants to treat these dismissals as routine, the broader implications for institutional integrity and public trust cannot be ignored. More than ever, strong and independent oversight mechanisms are essential to secure the future of government, both in the US and internationally. The widespread attention these decisions have received internationally, is an evidence of this!

Emmanuel Jacob, President