Tag: GOP OK with Trump weakening democracy

Trump throws ‘wrecking ball’ across federal inspectors general

President sets off chain reaction that could weaken government oversight

President Donald Trump in a span of 24 hours has upended the executive branch’s internal oversight of most of the government’s discretionary budget.

In one fell swoop, Trump removed the newly named leader of a watchdog committee overseeing federal pandemic response spending. He then ordered one person to oversee, for the near term, all audits and investigations of military and environmental programs. And he nominated what some consider to be a relatively unqualified official to monitor the Pentagon’s multibillion-dollar enterprise.

The moves come on the heels of the president’s firing on Friday of the intelligence community inspector general who had forwarded to Congress the whistleblower complaint that led to the impeachment inquiry. Continue reading.

Trump Threatens Inspector General Who Reported Virus Test Shortages

Donald Trump is attacking a report released Monday that found hospitals are the country are “unable to keep up with COVID-19 testing demands” and experiencing “severe shortages.”

The Office of Inspector General at the Department of Health and Human Services conducted phone interviews with administrators from 323 hospitals across 46 States to prepare its report.

Asked about the report’s findings at his daily coronavirus press briefing, Trump immediately launched into an attack on report because it was prepared by an inspector general. Continue reading.