Warren Warns Hegseth Against Going After Former Joint Chiefs Chairman General Milley, Demands Reinstatement of Pentagon Watchdog
“I am concerned that the removal of the Senate-confirmed IG will result in waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer funds, undermine accountability, and open the door to an unprecedented politicization of the Defense Department and the armed forces.”
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member on the Senate Armed Service Subcommittee on Personnel, wrote to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth with concerns following the removal of the Department of Defense (DoD) Inspector General (IG), Robert Storch. Senator Warren urged Secretary Hegseth to request President Trump rescind the decision to remove the IG and called out his abuse of power.
Mr. Storch was one of over a dozen IG’s that were reportedly fired by President Trump in an illegal “Friday night purge.” Before the president can fire an inspector general, he must provide notice to Congress within 30 days prior, including providing “substantial rationale” for the removal. Congress received no notice, and as of today, has not received a rationale.
In written responses to Senator Warren, Secretary Hegseth committed “to protecting the DoD IG’s independence.” During his confirmation hearing, he promised to be a “change agent” who would make sure that “[l]eaders—at all levels—will be held accountable.” These commitments will be impossible without an independent Inspector General.
“[N]ow that the IG has been removed, and less than 72 hours after your swearing in ceremony, you appear to be abusing your power to weaponize the government against the President’s political enemies,” wrote Senator Warren.
Senator Warren also wrote with concerns that Secretary Hegseth reportedly is stripping four-star General Mark Milley, the former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, of his security detail and clearance, as well as directing the acting IG to conduct a review board to demote him. Members of Congress already asked the DoD IG to investigate this issue in 2022. After the IG reviewed “hundreds of pages of documents, including classified and unclassified records,” the IG concluded that “further inquiry…is not warranted.”
Retired General Milley is also among several officials provided security due to continued threats to his life from Iran.
“It is reckless that your actions could pave the way for Iran’s revenge. Any reopening of General Milley’s administratively determined retired grade requires prior notice to Congress, due process for General Milley, and in the case of any redetermination, the advice and consent of the Senate,” said Senator Warren.
“I am concerned that the removal of the Senate-confirmed IG will result in waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer funds, undermine accountability, and open the door to an unprecedented politicization of the Defense Department and the armed forces,” concluded Senator Warren.
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