A federal judge found that President Trump broke the law in firing a number of inspectors general early in his term, but the judge found she did not have the power to reinstate them to their jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
U.S. District Court Judge Ana Reyes struck a sympathetic tone in the case, which was brought on behalf of eight of the nearly 20 inspectors general Trump has fired. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But she said while Trump violated a law requiring he give 30 days\u2019 notice to Congress before firing any inspector general, the former watchdogs could not show they\u2019d been irreparably harmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPresident Trump violated the IGA. That much is obvious. And Plaintiffs raise compelling arguments that the violation must be remedied through reinstatement to their positions,\u201d Reyes wrote<\/u><\/a>, referencing the Inspectors General Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, she said, Trump could simply fire them again by providing the required notice to Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut under well-established case law that this Court is bound to follow, Plaintiffs must show irreparable harm. And they cannot,\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEven assuming that the IGA comports with Article II, Plaintiffs\u2019 inability to perform their duties for 30 days is not irreparable harm. Moreover, if the IGs were reinstated, the President could lawfully remove them after 30 days by providing the required notice and rationale to Congress.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n