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Why is the president firing inspectors general?
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Gerald Walpin (AP Photo)
I am becoming increasingly curious regarding the facts surrounding the recent removal of Gerald Walpin from his position as Inspector General of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the agency which oversees AmeriCorps and other federal community service programs. Some outlets are now reporting other inspectors general at Treasury and the International Trade Commission have also been coming under fire.
This whole story bothers me for two reasons. For one thing the inspector general is supposed to be the non political watchdog of the agency, checking on how funds are spent, confirming how resources are appropriated and ensuring all activity is above board. The removal of an inspector general is a very serious thing, there is a specific process which is generally followed and relevant congressional committees are informed prior to action being taken; none of which occurred in this case. The second thing bothering me, I expect the media would pay more attention to what appears to be political revenge on the part of President Obama. Especially given the widespread media controversy when President Bush’s attorney general removed some U.S. Attorneys, who served at the pleasure of the president and can be removed for any reason. I hesitate to suggest a media double standard, but this does appear to be the case.
Gerald Walpin was a widely respected attorney and public servant and had recently completed an investigation into Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, a prominent supporter and fundraiser for President Obama. The investigation resulted in Mayor Johnson’s non profit group, Saint Hope Academy, being forced to return hundreds of thousands of dollars received from AmeriCorps. As more details have come to the surface, this is quickly blooming into a minor scandal for the administration, and the opposition is pushing for an investigation into the Walpin firing as well as the firing of other Inspectors General.
Perhaps it’s because he promised the most transparent presidency in U.S. history, perhaps it’s because the whole thing smacks of Boss Tweed style cronyism; either way none of this sits well with me. There is more to this story then has yet been revealed but on the surface it appears to be a politically motivated firing in response to a criminal investigation of an Obama ally and fundraiser. For my part I hope this is not the case, such a thing would do irreparable damage to our republic.
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