
A government worker who refused to leave her position after being dismissed by President Donald Trump had to be escorted from her office by security. Phyllis Fong, the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), was terminated on Friday along with several other inspectors general. Despite her removal, she attempted to remain in her role, insisting that the dismissal was not legally valid.
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
Fong cited support from the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), which questioned the legality of her termination. She told colleagues she intended to stay, arguing that the White House had failed to follow the proper legal process. However, the administration pushed forward with its decision, standing by the firings.
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
When Fong continued showing up for work the following week, security personnel were brought in to remove her from the premises. Reports indicate she did not leave voluntarily, though the USDA later released a statement suggesting that she departed of her own accord.
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 White House defended the move, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that the firings were part of a necessary overhaul of federal agencies. She emphasized that Trump had the authority to remove government employees and that any legal challenge would be unsuccessful.
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 was first appointed during the George W. Bush administration and had spent more than two decades overseeing audits and investigations into USDA operations. Her dismissal is part of a broader effort by Trump to replace federal officials he views as obstacles to his administration’s priorities.