The watchdogs say the removals may be invalid for failing to comply with a 2022 law requiring a 30-day notification to Congress before removals.

The dismissals appeared to violate federal law, which requires Congress to receive 30 days’ notice of any intent to fire a Senate-confirmed inspector general.

The White House defied a law that requires giving Congress 30 days’ notice and detailed reasons before removing the watchdog officials.

Lawmakers in both parties expressed concern that the White House might have circumvented federal rules in dismissing government watchdogs.

President Trump fired at least 12 inspectors general across the federal government Friday night, multiple outlets reported. The big picture: The terminations, the latest in a slew of government shakeups since Trump's inauguration,

The White House conducted a Friday night massacre wiping out the independent watchdogs at numerous federal agencies.