Wichita Standard

Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal has expressed concerns following President Trump's recent dismissal of several Inspector Generals, including Mike Missal from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Missal had been serving as VA Inspector General since April 2016.

Blumenthal stated, "Purging the VA’s Inspector General puts veterans at risk of a surge in corruption and abuse of power. The Inspector General is the most important internal watchdog that protects veterans from waste and wrongdoing. Firing him and eliminating his independent oversight is a betrayal of trust as well as violation of law."

The Senator emphasized the critical role played by the Inspector General in maintaining standards within the VA. He added, "Veterans deserve that VA be held accountable to meet the highest standards of efficiency and integrity in health care, benefits and all the services it provides—a mission the Inspector General has been essential to fill."

Blumenthal called for bipartisan Congressional action in response to what he described as a "reckless, reprehensible firing" to ensure veterans' rights are protected.

In 2022, Congress enacted legislation aimed at strengthening removal protections for Inspectors General. This law mandates that the President must provide Congress with 30 days notice and reasoning before removing an Inspector General. According to Blumenthal, this requirement was not met by President Trump.