Key Takeaways
- USDA Inspector General Phyllis Fong was escorted from her office on January 27, 2025, after refusing to accept her termination, though contrary to initial reports, she was not arrested or forcibly removed.
- The Trump administration defended its decision to dismiss Fong along with 16 other federal watchdogs, while Fong and CIGIE maintained the terminations were not legally executed due to improper protocols.
- Senator Chuck Grassley and other lawmakers have raised concerns about the legality of these dismissals, citing federal law that requires 30 days’ notice to Congress before removing an inspector general.
On January 27, 2025, Phyllis Fong, the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), was escorted from her office after refusing to comply with her termination by the Trump administration.
However, contrary to some reports, Fong has not been arrested.
Why Was Phyllis Fong Escorted?
According to sources, Fong, a 22-year veteran of the department, had informed colleagues that she intended to remain in her role despite receiving a termination notice from the White House on January 24.
She argued that the administration had not followed proper legal protocols in removing her.
In an internal email, Fong stated that the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) has taken the position that these termination notices do not comply with the requirements set out in law and, therefore, are not effective at this time.
The USDA Inspector General’s Office is responsible for audits, investigations, and oversight of USDA programs, including consumer food safety, animal welfare law violations, and financial accountability.
BREAKING: USDA Inspector General Phyllis Fong was forcibly removed from her office by security after defying President Trump’s termination order pic.twitter.com/V1Ndk55Igk
— MAGA Elvis 🇺🇸 (@BenStanton77) January 29, 2025
The White House defended the dismissal of Fong and 16 other federal watchdogs, claiming that they were being replaced with individuals who would “uphold the rule of law and protect democracy.”
President Donald Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One, stated,
“It’s a very common thing to do.”
Via USA Today
She Departed On Her Own Accord
Reports initially suggested that security officials forcibly removed Fong from the premises.
However, the USDA later issued a statement denying these claims, stating that Fong departed the USDA premises of her own accord, accompanied by two friends, and paused to take selfies on her way out.
Fong was appointed by President George W. Bush and served as the first chairperson of CIGIE from 2008 to 2014.
Her tenure at USDA included oversight of major investigations such as the listeria outbreak at Boar’s Head, allegations of animal abuse at dog breeding facilities for research labs, and an ongoing probe into Elon Musk’s brain implant company, Neuralink.
Despite her dismissal, Fong maintains that her removal was not legally executed.
The situation remains fluid, and legal experts anticipate further challenges to the administration’s actions.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Fong is married to her husband, Paul Tellier, and they have two children.
- She is also an attorney.
