Overview

• U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes said the administration likely violated the Inspectors General Act’s procedural requirements for notice and rationale before removals.
• She denied an injunction to return eight former inspectors general to their posts after finding they did not show irreparable harm.
• Reyes noted that reinstatement would be short‑lived because the president could lawfully remove the officials after providing proper notice to Congress.
• The eight plaintiffs were among roughly 17 inspectors general dismissed on Jan. 24 via identical two‑sentence emails citing “changing priorities.”
• Government lawyers argued the president can remove watchdogs without cause and need not wait 30 days after notice, while the court ordered additional briefing on back pay.