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Original Date Announced
January 24, 2025On January 24, 2025, President Trump fired HHS Inspector General Christi Grimm, along with at least 16 other inspectors general. Reportedly, Grimm was informed of her termination in a two-sentence email, citing "new priorities" under the Trump administration.
As Inspector General, Grimm led an independent organization of more than 1,600 auditors, evaluators, investigators, lawyers, and management professionals in overseeing HHS expenditures and programs, in service of the Office of Inspector General's mission to protect the integrity of HHS programs and the health and welfare of the people HHS serves. The scope of the HHS IG's oversight extends to all agencies operating under HHS, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Administration for Children & Families, the Food & Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health.
Trump 2.0 [ID #1539]
2025.1.24 Trump administration cites 'changing priorities' in emails that fired inspectors general," ABC NewsEffective Date
January 24, 2025Subsequent Trump and Court Action(s)
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February 12, 2025
2025.2.12 Complaint, Storch et al. v. Hegseth et al., 1:25-cv-00415-ACR (D.D.C.)
On February 12, 2025, Inspector General Grimm and seven other inspectors general filed a lawsuit in the D.C. District Court challenging their terminations. The complaint argues that the Trump administration's act violates the common law prohibition against ultra vires (unauthorized) government action and the Inspector General Act (5 U.S.C. § 403(b)). The plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief to reinstate them to their positions and prohibit "Agency Defendants, or anyone else working in concert with them, from impeding the lawful exercise of the duties of their offices." Storch v. Hegseth, 1:25-cv-00415-ACR (D.D.C.).
**Litigation entries are limited to initial complaints and major substantive rulings. For pleadings and additional information, use name and docket number to search Civil Rights Clearinghouse and CourtListener or visit Just Security Litigation Tracker**
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February 14, 2025
2025.2.14 Emergency Motion for Temporary Restraining Order, Storch v. Hegseth, 1:25-cv-00415-ACR (D.D.C.)
On February 14, 2025, two days after filing their original complaint, the Storch plaintiffs filed an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order seeking the immediate reinstatement of the terminated inspectors general. Storch v. Hegseth, 1:25-cv-00415 (D.D.C.).
*See litigation note above.*
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February 14, 2025
2025.2.14, "Judge Refuses to Immediately Reinstate Inspectors General," NYTimes
On February 14, 2025, D.C. District Judge Ana C. Reyes denied the Storch plaintiffs' emergency motion for a temporary restraining order to immediately reinstate them to their positions as inspectors general. According to New York Times reporting, during a ten-minute hearing Judge Reyes admonished the plaintiffs for bringing the emergency motion and threatened court sanctions if they did not immediately withdraw it. Storch v. Hegseth, 1:25-cv-00415 (D.D.C.).
*See litigation note above.*
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Current Status
NoneOriginal Trump Policy Status
Status: Final/Actual In LitigationSubject Matter: MinorsAgencies Affected: HHS
Documents
Trump-Era Policy Documents
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New Policy
Original Source:
ABC News article
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Subsequent Action
Original Source:
Complaint, Storch v. Hegseth
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Subsequent Action
Original Source:
Emergency TRO Motion, Storch v. Hegseth
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Subsequent Action
Original Source:
NYTimes article
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Commentary
Original Source:
Jack Goldsmith commentary
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Commentary
"Trump Fired 17 Inspectors General – Was it Legal?"
Analysis by Harvard Law School professor Jack Goldsmith on the legality of the Trump administration's firing of inspectors general.
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