In a dramatic move, President Donald Trump dismissed at least 12 internal government watchdogs on Friday, marking a significant shift early in his second term. The ousting of these independent inspectors general, responsible for detecting fraud, waste, and misconduct within federal agencies, has raised concerns about transparency and accountability.

The dismissals, which were communicated via emails from the White House personnel director, affected inspectors general at various agencies, including the Departments of Defense, State, Interior, and Energy, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Social Security Administration.

Inspectors general play a crucial role in overseeing government employees, investigating violations of laws and ethical standards, and auditing contracts and finances. The recent firings have drawn criticism, with some viewing it as an effort to replace independent watchdogs with loyalists.

Democratic leaders, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, have condemned the actions, calling them a "purge" that undermines the integrity of the government’s oversight system. The firings follow a series of executive actions by Trump, including plans to remove around 1,000 government employees, and signal an aggressive start to his second term, which has already included controversial policy changes on immigration, gender, and climate.

As the political fallout from these dismissals continues, critics warn that the move could pave the way for increased corruption and diminished checks on executive power