Phyllis Fong, a 22-year veteran of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), departed the agency under disputed circumstances following her dismissal. Initial reports suggested Fong resisted her termination and was escorted from her office. However, the USDA asserts Fong left voluntarily, accompanied by friends, and that security personnel were not involved.

Fong's dismissal comes amid a wave of terminations initiated by the Trump administration since January 20th, targeting various government employees, including inspectors general and those in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) roles. Fong herself expressed concerns prior to her firing about the propriety of the administration's swift dismissals.

In an email cited by Reuters, Fong highlighted the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency's (CIGIE) stance that the termination notices did not adhere to legal requirements. Fong served as the CIGIE's first chairperson from 2008 to 2014, following her appointment as inspector general by President George W. Bush. Her role at the USDA involved overseeing audits, investigations, and other oversight activities related to the department's programs and operations, with a focus on public health and safety, management, and financial integrity.

Phyllis Fong, who served at the USDA for 22 years, left the agency on Monday. (Getty Images | USDA)

The recent dismissals have raised concerns from figures like Senator Chuck Grassley, who questioned the adherence to federal law requiring a 30-day notice to Congress before the termination of independent watchdogs. The White House's reported dismissal of 17 independent watchdogs across various federal agencies on Friday further fueled this concern.

U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Donald Trump at a Republican National Committee spring donor retreat in Palm Beach, Florida, on May 4, 2024. (Donald Trump 2024 campaign)