J.D. Vance (quoted)

But first, President Trump is moving quickly to change the federal government, sidelining hundreds of government workers and paving the way to potentially fire hundreds of thousands more. In a rapid series of moves in his first week in office, Trump is requiring federal employees to return to the office five days a week.

But first, President Trump is moving quickly to change the federal government, sidelining hundreds of government workers and paving the way to potentially fire hundreds of thousands more. In a rapid series of moves in his first week in office, Trump is requiring federal employees to return to the office five days a week.

But first, President Trump is moving quickly to change the federal government, sidelining hundreds of government workers and paving the way to potentially fire hundreds of thousands more. In a rapid series of moves in his first week in office, Trump is requiring federal employees to return to the office five days a week.

He's shuttered diversity, equality and inclusion programs and environmental justice programs and cleared the way for people who work in those programs to be fired. And he temporarily blocked health officials from communicating with the public.

He's shuttered diversity, equality and inclusion programs and environmental justice programs and cleared the way for people who work in those programs to be fired. And he temporarily blocked health officials from communicating with the public.

He's shuttered diversity, equality and inclusion programs and environmental justice programs and cleared the way for people who work in those programs to be fired. And he temporarily blocked health officials from communicating with the public.

A spokesperson from the Office of Personnel Management called these steps exciting and said they are in the interest of making the government more effective and efficient. Then, late on Friday night, Trump fired 18 inspectors general. These are the independent government watchdogs that work in federal agencies to investigate allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse.

A spokesperson from the Office of Personnel Management called these steps exciting and said they are in the interest of making the government more effective and efficient. Then, late on Friday night, Trump fired 18 inspectors general. These are the independent government watchdogs that work in federal agencies to investigate allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse.

A spokesperson from the Office of Personnel Management called these steps exciting and said they are in the interest of making the government more effective and efficient. Then, late on Friday night, Trump fired 18 inspectors general. These are the independent government watchdogs that work in federal agencies to investigate allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse.

When asked why, a White House official told NBC they were cleaning house and lining under the new Trump administration. By law, the president is required to give Congress 30 days notice and a good reason for firing inspectors general. Some Republicans have acknowledged that Trump broke the law with this move, but still defend it. Here's Republican Senator Lindsey Graham on NBC's Meet the Press.

When asked why, a White House official told NBC they were cleaning house and lining under the new Trump administration. By law, the president is required to give Congress 30 days notice and a good reason for firing inspectors general. Some Republicans have acknowledged that Trump broke the law with this move, but still defend it. Here's Republican Senator Lindsey Graham on NBC's Meet the Press.

When asked why, a White House official told NBC they were cleaning house and lining under the new Trump administration. By law, the president is required to give Congress 30 days notice and a good reason for firing inspectors general. Some Republicans have acknowledged that Trump broke the law with this move, but still defend it. Here's Republican Senator Lindsey Graham on NBC's Meet the Press.

Later on the program, California Senator Adam Schiff, a Democrat, pushed back.

Later on the program, California Senator Adam Schiff, a Democrat, pushed back.

Later on the program, California Senator Adam Schiff, a Democrat, pushed back.

This isn't the first time a president has come in and shaken up inspector general positions. In 1981, Ronald Reagan fired 16 inspectors general shortly after his inauguration and ended up rehiring several of them after Congress objected.

This isn't the first time a president has come in and shaken up inspector general positions. In 1981, Ronald Reagan fired 16 inspectors general shortly after his inauguration and ended up rehiring several of them after Congress objected.

This isn't the first time a president has come in and shaken up inspector general positions. In 1981, Ronald Reagan fired 16 inspectors general shortly after his inauguration and ended up rehiring several of them after Congress objected.

Beyond those moves, the Trump administration also sent home 160 National Security Council aides, reassigned about 20 senior career attorneys at the Justice Department, and fired the heads of the U.S. Coast Guard and TSA. It's not uncommon for a president to quickly get to work, to hire and fire.

Beyond those moves, the Trump administration also sent home 160 National Security Council aides, reassigned about 20 senior career attorneys at the Justice Department, and fired the heads of the U.S. Coast Guard and TSA. It's not uncommon for a president to quickly get to work, to hire and fire.