'A widespread massacre': Observers stunned after late-night Trump 'purge' of former hires

A decision by Donald Trump's incoming administration to make a late-night firing of at least 12 inspectors general –– including some the president personally approved of in his first term –– is creating alarm among observers, according to a report from the Washington Post.

Increasing those concerns is the fact that abrupt "purge" is likely illegal under federal law.

According to the report, "The inspectors general were notified by emails from the White House personnel director that they had been terminated immediately, according to people familiar with the actions, who like others in this report spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the private messages," adding federal law states Congress must be given 30 days’ notice of intent to terminate a Senate-confirmed inspector general.

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Of note, is the surprising decision to banish multiple former Trump appointees.

"Most of those dismissed were Trump appointees from his first term, which stunned the watchdog community," the report notes with one of those fired telling the Post, "It’s a widespread massacre," and then warning, "Whoever Trump puts in now will be viewed as loyalists, and that undermines the entire system.”

The report adds that one of the purged officials only found out about their ouster after being asked for comment.

“IGs have done exactly what the president says he wants: to fight fraud waste and abuse and make the government more effective,” they explained before wondering. “Firing this many of us makes no sense. It is counter to those goals.”

"Some inspectors general are presidential appointees, while others are designated by the heads of their agencies. They serve indefinite terms and typically span administrations to insulate them from shifts in political winds. A president can remove them but must notify both chambers of Congress in advance," the Washington Post report added.

You can read more here.