
Security had to intervene after a federal official refused to leave her office following her termination by President Donald Trump. Phyllis Fong, who had worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for 22 years, continued to show up for work on Monday despite being dismissed days earlier, according to reports.
Fong reportedly informed colleagues she did not recognize the legality of her firing and cited the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), which argued that the termination process did not comply with federal guidelines. The Trump administration rejected this claim, maintaining that the president has full authority to remove inspectors general.
THIS is what WINNING looks like 🏆
Security physically REMOVED USDA Phyllis Fong as she refused to accept that she was FIRED by President Trump. pic.twitter.com/rTbHgjBPJH
— Liz Churchill (@liz_churchill10) January 29, 2025
When Fong refused to vacate her office, security officials escorted her from the building, though the USDA later stated she left on her own. Witnesses, however, say her departure followed a confrontation in which she insisted she was still the rightful inspector general.
USDA Inspector General Phyllis Fong is out.
She led the department that was informed of fraud in the Feeding Our Future program—a $250 million scheme that took funds from hungry children—and did NOT act.
— House Committee on Education & Workforce (@EdWorkforceCmte) January 27, 2025
The White House justified the removal, stating that federal agencies needed officials who would follow Trump’s policies rather than obstruct them. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the decision, saying those dismissed were “partisan bureaucrats” who had been replaced with individuals committed to enforcing the law.
BREAKING: USDA Inspector General Phyllis Fong was reportedly escorted out of her office by security after she refused to leave after President Trump fired her.
Bye bye đź‘‹ pic.twitter.com/ZClXI38Zpr
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 29, 2025
Fong’s role as inspector general involved conducting investigations into USDA operations, including issues related to food safety and agricultural oversight. Her termination was part of a broader effort by the administration to remove federal officials seen as resistant to Trump’s leadership.
They had to perp walk Phyllis Fong because she refused to accept that elections have consequences. The People have spoken! Get up out of there, Phyllis.
pic.twitter.com/UVd6DbZcEp— Moe Dimanche (@MoeDimanche) January 29, 2025