CREW is suing to stop the Trump administration from dismantling an independent watchdog that protects our democracy. If you support this work, please donate to keep this fight going

The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) coordinates oversight efforts across federal agencies. It supports the work of more than 70 Offices of Inspector General — the independent watchdogs responsible for rooting out waste, fraud, misconduct and corruption in the federal government.

The Trump administration has justified the firing of inspectors general and the defunding of CIGIE as part of a war against fraud, waste and abuse. But John, these are the very entities on the front lines investigating wrongdoing and protecting whistleblowers from retaliation.

Without inspectors general, waste, fraud and abuse go unchecked and cost taxpayers millions. That's unacceptable.

That’s why CREW, alongside Democracy Forward, is representing Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, the Government Accountability Project and Project On Government Oversight in their lawsuit asking the court to prevent the Trump administration from unlawfully defunding the work of CIGIE.

We’re suing to stand up for oversight and against the Trump administration's efforts to dodge accountability. We’re asking the court to prevent the administration from unlawfully defunding this crucial watchdog.

Legal work like this takes time and resources, and we’re relying on your support to help us keep up this critical fight for accountability. Please, make a donation today to support CREW →

The Office of Management and Budget has no authority to defund a congressionally created entity like CIGIE, or to provide an entity less than full funding for reasons not based in law.

But it has done exactly that.

OMB first refused to fund CIGIE from October 1 through November 17, 2025, despite having millions of dollars in funds available. OMB then issued CIGIE only an inadequate fraction of its funds for limited purposes until January 30, 2026, while issuing zero funds for the remainder of fiscal year 2026.

Offices of Inspectors General are a cornerstone of good governance. They serve as independent watchdogs, rooting out waste, fraud, abuse and corruption across the federal government.

At a time of rising lawlessness and misconduct, CIGIE plays a vital role in strengthening transparency and ensuring accountability to Congress and the American people.

In fact, over the last four years alone, OIGs have achieved potential savings of approximately $309 billion.

Congress has routinely endorsed the mission and work of government watchdogs, expanding the number of inspectors general required by law three times to improve each OIGs’ independence, transparency and accountability.

The Trump administration’s attempt to defund CIGE is part of a broader effort to weaken the ability of inspectors general to carry out their responsibilities in a non-partisan manner.

And it’s a threat to transparency and accountability in our government.

That’s why CREW is joining a coalition of nonprofit organizations to ask the court to order OMB to issue the funding guaranteed by law to CIGIE, and stop the government from its efforts to limit the ability of IGs to do their critical work.

We’re not backing down in the fight for accountability and transparency, and we need you on our team. Help us keep up this fight and continue standing up for oversight by donating today to power our efforts →

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