A high-ranking federal bureaucrat refused to leave her taxpayer-funded position after being fired by President Donald Trump, highlighting the sense of entitlement many public workers feel toward their jobs. Phyllis Fong, the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), had to be escorted from her office by security officials on Monday after defiantly attempting to stay in her position.
Fong, a 22-year federal employee, was among multiple inspectors general fired by Trump last Friday over concerns about their lack of partisan independence. She claimed the administration had not followed proper federal procedures in issuing her dismissal, citing the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), which asserted that the terminations were not legally effective.
THIS is what WINNING looks like 🏆
Security physically REMOVED USDA Phyllis Fong as she refused to accept that she was FIRED by President Trump. pic.twitter.com/rTbHgjBPJH
— Liz Churchill (@liz_churchill10) January 29, 2025
The White House defended the decision to remove Fong and others, stating that “rogue, partisan bureaucrats” were being replaced with officials committed to upholding the rule of law. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reaffirmed Trump’s authority to fire executive branch employees, adding that the administration was prepared to defend the firings in court.
USDA Inspector General Phyllis Fong is out.
She led the department that was informed of fraud in the Feeding Our Future program—a $250 million scheme that took funds from hungry children—and did NOT act.
— House Committee on Education & Workforce (@EdWorkforceCmte) January 27, 2025
Before her removal, Fong attempted to argue that she was still legally employed, despite Trump’s clear directive. In an email obtained by Reuters, she claimed the firings did not comply with federal law. However, security officials escorted her from the premises after she refused to leave on her own.
BREAKING: USDA Inspector General Phyllis Fong was reportedly escorted out of her office by security after she refused to leave after President Trump fired her.
Bye bye đź‘‹ pic.twitter.com/ZClXI38Zpr
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 29, 2025
The USDA initially denied that Fong had to be forcibly removed, insisting she left voluntarily. However, sources familiar with the incident confirmed that security was involved. As part of Trump’s broader effort to clean house, 17 inspectors general across various federal agencies were dismissed, including those from the Defense, State, and Energy Departments.
They had to perp walk Phyllis Fong because she refused to accept that elections have consequences. The People have spoken! Get up out of there, Phyllis.
pic.twitter.com/UVd6DbZcEp— Moe Dimanche (@MoeDimanche) January 29, 2025
Fong, who has spent decades in government oversight roles, is now free to seek employment in the private sector—just as any other American would have to do after losing a job. Her refusal to leave highlights a common problem within the federal workforce, where long-term employees treat public service as a lifetime appointment rather than a privilege.
