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nitpicked

(946 posts)
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 02:22 PM 19 hrs ago

Exclusive: USDA inspector general escorted out of her office after defying White House

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/usda-inspector-general-escorted-out-her-office-after-defying-white-house-2025-01-29/



WASHINGTON, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Security agents escorted the inspector general of the U.S. Department of Agriculture out of her office on Monday after she refused to comply with her firing by the Trump administration, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Phyllis Fong, a 22-year veteran of the department, had earlier told colleagues that she intended to stay after the White House terminated her Friday, saying that she didn’t believe the administration had followed proper protocols, the sources said.

In an email to colleagues on Saturday, reviewed by Reuters, she said the independent Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency “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 White House defended the firing of Fong and the other inspectors general, saying "these rogue, partisan bureaucrats... have been relieved of their duties in order to make room for qualified individuals who will uphold the rule of law and protect Democracy."
(snip)
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Exclusive: USDA inspector general escorted out of her office after defying White House (Original Post) nitpicked 19 hrs ago OP
They can type some shit BOSSHOG 19 hrs ago #1
I'm sure there's someone from ConAgra or Archer-Daniels underpants 19 hrs ago #3
Big AG (and Big Everything) spent good money on these politicians and lackeys. erronis 18 hrs ago #16
No surprise haryn 18 hrs ago #15
Russian-style doublespeak. nt The Unmitigated Gall 18 hrs ago #31
The White House calling her a "partisan bureaucrat" spells out the basis she has for a lawsuit. Doodley 19 hrs ago #2
These psychos seriously have the fucking nerve to say they're "protecting democracy". Initech 18 hrs ago #7
As we should know by now, everything out of their mouths is a lie and a deflection. Trust me! erronis 18 hrs ago #17
Yes indeed. benfranklin1776 17 hrs ago #45
100%! Initech 16 hrs ago #59
Projection and doublespeak. Truth not necessary Evolve Dammit 16 hrs ago #55
THIS !!! Sue their assss ... Work the courts to shut MAGA mouths uponit7771 13 hrs ago #64
this is exactly what is required. Make them force the issue. Do not comply in advance ProfessorPlum 19 hrs ago #4
Yes. Too many people in important federal positions KPN 17 hrs ago #49
With No Oversight on Food Safety Oneear 19 hrs ago #5
the poor little rich boy will have his usual coterie of food tasters erronis 18 hrs ago #19
Holy crap, he is such a petty, vindictive, satanic asshole! Initech 18 hrs ago #6
A vile despicable monster malaise 17 hrs ago #42
Phyllis Fong is a patriot. Kid Berwyn 18 hrs ago #8
Why are the security agents following illegal orders? royable 18 hrs ago #9
I said this in another thread on this ScratchCat 18 hrs ago #11
Start filing cases! Think. Again. 17 hrs ago #43
Yes, they are relative little people. Their livelihood KPN 17 hrs ago #50
I would assume two reasons EdmondDantes_ 18 hrs ago #23
I'm just waiting . . . AverageOldGuy 18 hrs ago #10
I've noted this as well ScratchCat 18 hrs ago #13
I'll bet there's a way to "buy" your way back onto gravy trail. erronis 18 hrs ago #22
Same thing here. progressoid 17 hrs ago #37
They won't touch farmers. Too many are white imho. live love laugh 17 hrs ago #38
Here's the database to find out how much federal $$ your neighbors are getting progressoid 17 hrs ago #39
G.O.P. Gestapo getting warmed up BoRaGard 18 hrs ago #12
Is it time orangecrush 18 hrs ago #14
I'm thinking there will be some actions. erronis 18 hrs ago #24
Of course he will orangecrush 18 hrs ago #28
Off to court malaise 18 hrs ago #18
I'm getting a little nervous about decoys... William Seger 18 hrs ago #33
"The White House defended the firing..." the same way any fascist would: Enemy of the state William Seger 18 hrs ago #20
Post removed Post removed 18 hrs ago #21
Get outta here! RoseTrellis 18 hrs ago #25
Looks like you've been here before. GP6971 16 hrs ago #57
welcome to DU gopiscrap 4 hrs ago #65
Welcome to DU sarisataka 18 hrs ago #26
Damn, I missed it, MarineCombatEngineer 17 hrs ago #46
It was quite blatant sarisataka 17 hrs ago #47
Yeah it was. MarineCombatEngineer 17 hrs ago #48
Back atcha. ismnotwasm 18 hrs ago #27
GFY orangecrush 18 hrs ago #29
Good. She now has standing and can sue and get this blocked. Voltaire2 18 hrs ago #30
I hope she sues the shit out of who or whomever fired her. Botany 17 hrs ago #41
Death threats in 3,2,1... Conjuay 17 hrs ago #44
Salmonella, ecoli and listeria all applaud pfitz59 18 hrs ago #32
Who need oversight on food & drugs? Huge waste of money! bif 17 hrs ago #34
"Rogue"⁉️ live love laugh 17 hrs ago #35
Amazing that Homan and Dr. Phil weren't there demanding to moniss 17 hrs ago #36
Reinstate Phyllis Fong... ultralite001 17 hrs ago #40
These people haven't been fired, only removed from office. patphil 17 hrs ago #51
Reuters still having to do both sides oldmanlynn 17 hrs ago #52
This is ripe for a lawsuit... rasputin1952 17 hrs ago #53
The article explains what makes her a "rogue, partisan bureaucrat" jmowreader 17 hrs ago #54
May we all be courageous Magoo48 16 hrs ago #56
Every time someone gives in to his whims louis-t 16 hrs ago #58
On what authority? Oh, right. The fictional mandate all fascists all love to give themselves. Karasu 16 hrs ago #60
A 22 year veteran is not a qualified individual Norbert 16 hrs ago #61
this barbtries 16 hrs ago #62
The insanity continues! bif 13 hrs ago #63

BOSSHOG

(40,782 posts)
1. They can type some shit
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 02:26 PM
19 hrs ago

Rogue bureaucrats? Qualified individuals? protect democracy?

Does anyone wonder why trump loves stupid people?

underpants

(188,067 posts)
3. I'm sure there's someone from ConAgra or Archer-Daniels
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 02:33 PM
19 hrs ago

or someone from Big AG’s auditing firm who’d be willing to serve their country

erronis

(17,521 posts)
16. Big AG (and Big Everything) spent good money on these politicians and lackeys.
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 03:16 PM
18 hrs ago

Of course they should get their money's worth!

(Sarcasm)

haryn

(6 posts)
15. No surprise
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 03:08 PM
18 hrs ago

It's always been in the best interest of fascists to keep the populace uneducated and ignorant. Unfortunately, it works.

Doodley

(10,474 posts)
2. The White House calling her a "partisan bureaucrat" spells out the basis she has for a lawsuit.
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 02:26 PM
19 hrs ago

Initech

(103,113 posts)
7. These psychos seriously have the fucking nerve to say they're "protecting democracy".
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 02:42 PM
18 hrs ago

While they're setting up a fucking dictatorship filled with ass kissers and bootlickers who will do their every evil bidding. The absolute nerve of these sick fucks!

erronis

(17,521 posts)
17. As we should know by now, everything out of their mouths is a lie and a deflection. Trust me!
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 03:17 PM
18 hrs ago

ProfessorPlum

(11,410 posts)
4. this is exactly what is required. Make them force the issue. Do not comply in advance
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 02:33 PM
19 hrs ago

Fong is a real one

KPN

(16,268 posts)
49. Yes. Too many people in important federal positions
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 04:28 PM
17 hrs ago

simply retired rather than challenge trump the last time around. It takes courage so I certainly have no right to criticize them for that. But it’s pretty clear the only way our democracy will survive this second time is via courageous acts of resistance.

Oneear

(307 posts)
5. With No Oversight on Food Safety
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 02:34 PM
19 hrs ago

How will we know about inspections at the Border? Testing for Germs, bugs, and Lead on Fresh Produce, Fruits, and Vegetables. I do hope Donald Trump Puts Food Safety People as I Love to eat and not get sick from Food.

erronis

(17,521 posts)
19. the poor little rich boy will have his usual coterie of food tasters
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 03:21 PM
18 hrs ago

to sample his bugger before he chows down. Donnie 3bugger, 2scoops, 1dietcoke, 15 flushes.

(Wonder if he waits 30+ minutes to see if the taster shows signs of food poisoning - intentional or otherwise.)

Kid Berwyn

(18,899 posts)
8. Phyllis Fong is a patriot.
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 02:44 PM
18 hrs ago

She swore to uphold the Constitution and has, even up to the face of MAGA.

ScratchCat

(2,529 posts)
11. I said this in another thread on this
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 03:00 PM
18 hrs ago

They were already told by the person who has authority here that the firings are not valid. The security agent risks prosecution.

KPN

(16,268 posts)
50. Yes, they are relative little people. Their livelihood
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 04:31 PM
17 hrs ago

depends on keeping their superiors happy, who depend on keeping trump’s appointees happy.

EdmondDantes_

(215 posts)
23. I would assume two reasons
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 03:24 PM
18 hrs ago

Security is likely to be former military/police and follow chain of command, and if that's the case, more likely to be Republican.

They are probably paid a lot less than the IG. It's hard to risk getting fired if you're living paycheck to paycheck.

And just because someone says something is illegal, doesn't mean that it is. It certainly seems to be in this case, but asking someone to risk their job on the word of someone else is hard.

AverageOldGuy

(2,371 posts)
10. I'm just waiting . . .
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 02:58 PM
18 hrs ago

I live in a rural Virginia county, the county survives on farming.

Try this: Google "UDSA subsidies to (name of a county) " and see what happens. Farmers in my county have received an average of $1.5 million per year for the past 25 years.

One of our farmers has pulled a slick trick: He owns or leases land in three counties, so, he has incorporated three companies "His Name Farms of xxx county," "of yyyy county," and "of zzz county." This guy has been raking in an average of close to $1 million per year for the three counties.

So -- I'm just waiting. Waiting for Trump's cuts to hit the USDA crop support, crop insurance, loan support, and the like payments and when all of a sudden his checks dry up, I'll put letters to the editors in all our local papers, laughing my ass off at the fact that Trump just stabbed his farmer voters in the back.

ScratchCat

(2,529 posts)
13. I've noted this as well
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 03:03 PM
18 hrs ago

There are hundreds of thousands of Republican voters who have gotten rich off of Federal government subsidies and contracts. Very rich. They wont like any "freeze" very much. Not at all.

erronis

(17,521 posts)
22. I'll bet there's a way to "buy" your way back onto gravy trail.
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 03:24 PM
18 hrs ago

First declare fealty. Then some large purchase of some worthless crypto branded by the trump crims.

progressoid

(50,897 posts)
37. Same thing here.
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 03:52 PM
17 hrs ago

I know a couple small farmers who will get hurt. They may even lose their farms without subsidies. But this has been going on for decades. They vote for republicans because the media tells them Democrats are the problem. Maybe this will wake them up.

Of course this will also help the larger corporate farms. They can come in and swallow up the dying farms. So while it may shift voter preferences away from Drumpf, it will only worsen the corporate stranglehold on our food production. Not to mention their impact on the environment.

erronis

(17,521 posts)
24. I'm thinking there will be some actions.
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 03:26 PM
18 hrs ago

Wondering if trump will test his flaccidity with a security reaction.

William Seger

(11,230 posts)
33. I'm getting a little nervous about decoys...
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 03:37 PM
18 hrs ago

... crap they must know isn't going to stick but does make fodder for the news cycle, exciting the cult, while hoping less obvious power grabs and abuses might fly under the radar. Same thing for the birthright citizen thing -- that can't possibly go anywhere without a constitutional amendment, but it's a big shiny thing attracting attention from both sides. I sincerely hope Dems have a lot of legal power on reserve -- there was never any doubt about this, we're sure as hell going to need it.

William Seger

(11,230 posts)
20. "The White House defended the firing..." the same way any fascist would: Enemy of the state
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 03:21 PM
18 hrs ago

Response to nitpicked (Original post)

moniss

(6,389 posts)
36. Amazing that Homan and Dr. Phil weren't there demanding to
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 03:52 PM
17 hrs ago

see her proof of citizenship.

patphil

(7,283 posts)
51. These people haven't been fired, only removed from office.
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 04:35 PM
17 hrs ago

As usual, Trump didn't follow the rule of law; totally ignored the process for firing an Inspector General.

oldmanlynn

(554 posts)
52. Reuters still having to do both sides
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 04:35 PM
17 hrs ago

By claiming or writing up what Trump said that it’s a partisan bureaucrat which is a lie and that the new person is coming in to uphold law and order and democracy. Another lie and writers just print it as if it were all legitimate.

rasputin1952

(83,426 posts)
53. This is ripe for a lawsuit...
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 04:35 PM
17 hrs ago

From what I gather, the process was not followed.

I'm calling my (all 3 R's) Senators and Rep immediately after I finish this posting.


jmowreader

(51,755 posts)
54. The article explains what makes her a "rogue, partisan bureaucrat"
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 04:37 PM
17 hrs ago

She was investigating one of Elon Musk's companies, that brain-chip thing he set up, so obviously she has to go.

Karasu

(439 posts)
60. On what authority? Oh, right. The fictional mandate all fascists all love to give themselves.
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 05:01 PM
16 hrs ago

Norbert

(6,709 posts)
61. A 22 year veteran is not a qualified individual
Wed Jan 29, 2025, 05:06 PM
16 hrs ago

I guess she had no intention to bow down to the king.

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