Press Releases

Today, Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, the Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, Rep. Stephen F. Lynch, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, and Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations, issued the following the statements in response to the resignation of Principal Deputy Department of Defense Inspector General Glenn Fine:

“I want to thank Glenn Fine for his service,” said Chairwoman Maloney.  “There can be no doubt that this is a direct result of President Trump’s actions.  Just a few weeks ago, Mr. Fine was chosen to lead the Pandemic Accountability Response Committee, which Congress created on a bipartisan basis to bring desperately needed oversight to the Trump Administration’s horrible response to the coronavirus crisis.  It is a shame that our nation is losing such a dedicated public servant who has given so much to this country.”

“Inspector General Fine is an honorable public servant who was attacked and demoted by the President simply because he sought to bring oversight and accountability to the federal government,” said Chairman Connolly.  “Mr. Fine’s resignation is another stain on the Trump administration and another blow to accountable democracy.”

“I’d like to thank Inspector General Glenn Fine for his two decades of public service at the Department of Justice and the Department of Defense,”  said Chairman Lynch.  “In these roles, Mr. Fine helped to keep the United States and our men and women in uniform safe while promoting the responsible use of taxpayer dollars. It is indeed regrettable that yet another superb and patriotic inspector general has been compelled to step down as a result of President Trump’s continued attacks on independent oversight. Mr. Fine’s courage and honesty will be missed, I am sure.”

In April, the Chairs released legislation in direct response to President Trump’s removal of Mr. Fine as Chairman of the new Pandemic Response Accountability Committee created by Congress.

On May 22, 2020, the Chairs joined House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer in introducing the Inspector General Independence Act to protect Inspectors General across the Executive Branch from being fired as a result of political retaliation.