Democrats want to hire an inspector general for the president’s office

Congressional Democrats introduced a bill to create an inspector general (IG) for the Executive Office of the President. There is currently no inspector general in the White House, but there is for nearly every other department and agency within the executive branch.

“That should change, regardless of who is in office,” Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said in a statement. “[The bill] will help ensure that no President or administration is above the law.”

Details of the new position

The bill would allow the president to appoint the inspector general, who would need Senate confirmation, the standard process for all other IGs. The executive IG would also be subject to a yearly audit by the Council of Inspectors General to ensure they can do the job effectively.

The bill puts the IG under the direction and control of the president for sensitive investigations that involve an intelligence matter or the identity of confidential sources. The president would be allowed to prohibit the IG from starting, continuing or completing any investigation if the president determines it is necessary to prevent the disclosure of sensitive information. The president can do the same for subpoenas.

If the president halts an investigation or issues a subpoena, they must notify the IG in writing. The IG must then inform Congress.

The bill also requires the IG to review classified documents to make sure the president isn’t over-classifying important information that should be in the public domain.

Who is sponsoring the bill?

The bill has five Democratic sponsors in the House and Senate, including Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-Va.

“With the most corrupt president in the history of our country, it’s important we have the necessary guardrails in place to keep him and any president in check,” Vindman stated.

Vindman is a former White House National Security Council deputy legal advisor who worked for the first Trump administration. His brother, retired Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, was the key witness in President Trump’s first impeachment over his demand that Ukraine investigate the Bidens.

They have not gotten any Republicans to sign on.

What are inspectors general?

Inspectors general are independent attorneys who are in charge of investigating and auditing the federal government. There are 74, and each is independent and nonpartisan.

While they technically report to an agency or department head, their supervisors cannot prohibit them from conducting an investigation or audit. They hire and control their own staff, have access to all department documents, can issue subpoenas and hear testimony under oath. Their mission is to prevent waste, fraud and abuse and promote effectiveness and efficiency.