The Trump administration has dismissed several federal inspectors general in recent days, including Hannibal “Mike” Ware, the inspector general of the Small Business Administration (SBA). Ware, a Virgin Islander known for his high-profile investigations into fraud tied to federal COVID-19 relief programs, is pushing back against the decision, raising questions about its legality and implications for oversight.
The terminations, reportedly carried out via email from the White House Presidential Personnel Office, cited “changing priorities” but provided no further explanation. Critics argue the removals appear to violate the Inspector General Reform Act of 2008, which mandates a 30-day advance notification to Congress to safeguard the independence of these critical oversights.
Ware, who also serves as the chairperson of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), responded promptly to his dismissal. In a letter to Sergio Gor, Director of the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, Ware challenged the legality of the action, stating, “At this point, we do not believe the actions taken are legally sufficient to dismiss Presidentially Appointed, Senate Confirmed Inspectors General.”
Ware’s tenure as SBA Inspector General was marked by ongoing oversight activities, including investigations into fraudulent activities related to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Notably, his office was among those who led the investigation into David Whitaker, founder of Mon Ethos Pro Support, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud and bribery charges. Whitaker admitted to planting surveillance devices in Virgin Islands government offices and submitting fraudulent PPP loan applications, resulting in substantial financial losses.
In an interview with the Source last November, Ware said as the inspector general of the Small Business Administration (SBA) and acting inspector general for the Social Security Administration (SSA), he oversees billions in federal funds, ensuring these resources reach those for whom they’re intended. “My role is not about punishing my community — it’s about protecting it,” he emphasized.
His work at the SBA led to 1,536 indictments, 1,164 arrests, and 925 convictions related to SBA programs. The COVID-19 pandemic brought new challenges, with an estimated $200 billion, or 17 percent of SBA pandemic relief funds, potentially lost to fraud. “When people are stealing, they’re stealing from the people in our territory who need those funds,” Ware said last November.
The abrupt dismissal of Ware and other inspectors general has prompted national concern about the erosion of governmental checks and balances. Diana Shaw, former acting inspector general at the State Department, described the move as “the travesty we feared may be coming,” emphasizing the potential threat to the independence and objectivity of inspectors general, according to Politico.
The Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended by the Inspector General Reform Act of 2008, stipulates that the president must communicate the reasons for an inspector general’s removal to both houses of Congress 30 days prior to the action. This provision is designed to prevent undue political interference and maintain the independence of these oversight officials.
