Federal Employee Removed By Security After Defying Trump’s Firing Order

Security personnel escorted a federal official out of her office after she refused to accept her termination by President Donald Trump. Phyllis Fong, the longtime Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), resisted the administration’s decision to remove her, choosing instead to continue working into the following week.

Fong was among multiple inspectors general dismissed by Trump on Friday as part of a broad effort to remove entrenched bureaucrats across federal agencies. Despite her termination, she informed colleagues that she would not vacate her office, claiming the dismissal did not follow the proper procedures.

By Monday, her refusal to leave resulted in security being called to escort her from the premises. While the USDA later claimed that she left on her own, sources familiar with the situation stated that she initially resisted the order.

The White House stood by the firings, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt affirming that the administration had the right to replace federal officials. She dismissed concerns over legal challenges, stating that the president’s authority in this matter was clear.

Fong’s role at the USDA involved oversight of department operations, including food safety investigations and regulatory compliance. She had held her position since the George W. Bush administration and was one of 17 inspectors general removed as part of Trump’s restructuring of government agencies.