As President-Elect Joe Biden continues to decide Critical Cabinet Appointments for: AG, CIA, Commerce, Labor, and SBA, the New Administration will be Confronting Widespread Vacancies in Inspector General (IG) Watchdog Offices across theGgovernment. At least a 12 of the 38 Presidentially Appointed IG's will Not be in place at the End of the Trump Administration.

Allison Lerner, the Incoming Chairperson of the Inspectors General Council, said filling the Jobs in some of the most Crucial Federal Agencies, from the Departments of Defense (DOD) and Health and Human Services (HHS) to the CIA, will require “a heavy lift.”

"There is no substitute for Senate-confirmed inspectors general," said Paul Light, a Professor of Public Service at New York University. "They are the coin of the realm when it comes to government oversight."

The Vacancies follow One of the most Contentious Periods for IG's, several of whom were Targeted for Removal by Trump. Among the Trump Administration ousters was IG of the Intelligence Community, Michael Atkinson, who handled a Whistleblower's Complaint about Trump's Dealings with Ukraine that Triggered Trump's Impeachment.

Atkinson's Firing was quickly followed by the Removals of Steve Linick at the State Department, and Glenn Fine, the Acting IG at the Pentagon. Linick, a former Federal Prosecutor, had Investigated Allegations of Political Retaliation by Allies of Trump against Career Diplomats who been labeled as "Disloyal."

The Dismissals, some of them coming during Late Friday Notices issued by the Administration, were Slammed by Democratic Leaders. “The President’s late-night, weekend firing of the State Department Inspector General has accelerated his dangerous pattern of retaliation against the patriotic public servants charged with conducting oversight on behalf of the American people," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA, 12th District), said in a Statement at the time. "Inspector General Linick was punished for honorably performing his duty to protect the Constitution and our national security."

Following the Dismissals, a Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers, led by Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA), proposed Legislation to Bolster Watchdog Independence. The Bill, which in part would Require a more Substantive Rationale for Removal, did Not Advance during the Congressional Session.

Lerner, Inspector General at the National Science Foundation, said the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency has been in Contact with the Incoming Biden Administration to Address their Needs, including the Leadership Gaps. "Something has to be done to move nominations more efficiently," she said.

The Needs have become more Urgent in the Midst of a Deadly Pandemic. Agencies directly involved in the Health Response HHS, and Recovery Effort, the Treasury Department, are Without Permanent IG Leadership.

Earlier this year, a Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) and Special IG were among the Oversight Entities established to Track the Massive Virus Recovery effort, which includes the $2 Trillion Stimulus Package Approved in March and the $900 Billion Relief Strategy that awaits Trump's Signature. That Effort, however, got off to a Bumpy Start when Trump removed Fine as the Acting IG at Defense. The Move also effectively Stripped Fine of his Post as Chairman of PRAC. Fine had been Selected by the IG Council Chair to Lead the Panel Charged with Overseeing the Initial $2 Trillion Stimulus Deal meant to Mitigate the Economic Damage caused by the Pandemic.

The PRAC and its 21 Affiliated IG's have since Accelerated Oversight on the Flood of Aid Released by the Government. The Panel, led by Michael Horowitz, IG at the Justice Department, and Paul Martin, the IG at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Reported that there are at least 141 Reviews Underway. The New Relief Package adds to the work. "We're going to keep doing the oversight, doing the work we have to do," Horowitz said. "We are not going to be dissuaded from that mission."

Despite the Adversarial Actions, Lerner and Horowitz, the Former Chair of the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, said the Watchdog Community remains undeterred. "We have not been shy about saying what needs to be done," Lerner said.

Horowitz, whose Office produced Last year's Highly Critical Report on the FBI's Surveillance of a Former Trump Campaign Adviser as part of the Russia Investigation, described the Overall Mission as akin to "straddling a barbed wire fence." "Being an IG is a challenging job no matter the administration and no matter what party is in power," he said.

Horowitz and Lerner did Not Single Out Trump for Criticism, but Light said the White House has sought to Harass IGs and Avoid necessary Oversight Functions throughout Trump's Presidency. "I'm surprised the inspectors general offices still have electricity," Light said. "This is a president who absolutely despises oversight."










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