The Trump administration has come under intense scrutiny following the overnight firing of at least a dozen inspectors general, a decision that some lawmakers have labeled as potentially illegal.

The dismissal of these key watchdogs, whose role is to ensure accountability within various federal agencies, took place late on a Friday evening and was executed through emails from the director of presidential personnel, according to multiple news sources including CBS News and the BBC.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the move on the Senate floor, calling it a 'chilling purge' and suggesting it was an attempt by former President Donald Trump to eliminate accountability.

However, as of the latest reports, the White House had neither confirmed the firings nor responded to requests for comment.

The inspectors general affected include those from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Small Business Administration.

Reports indicate that inspectors general from other departments such as Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, Transportation, Veterans Affairs, and the Environmental Protection Agency were also considered for dismissal, according to the New York Times.

Established after the Watergate scandal, inspectors general serve as an independent check against mismanagement and abuse within federal agencies.

Although presidential appointees, they are intended to retain nonpartisan roles.

Legal observers have highlighted that the firings might contravene federal law requiring the president to provide Congress with a detailed explanation 30 days in advance of any such dismissals.

The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency has expressed concern over the legality of the firings, as the council emphasized that the actions 'do not believe [these] are legally sufficient to dismiss Presidentially Appointed, Senate Confirmed Inspectors General.'

Even within Trump's Republican Party, the decision has sparked concern.

Senators such as Chuck Grassley of Iowa have called for further explanation regarding the rationale behind these dismissals.

Grassley stressed the importance of understanding whether legitimate reasons existed for the purge.

This move follows previous instances during Trump's first term, wherein he dismissed several inspectors general, eliciting similar concerns around transparency and accountability.

Some experts view these actions as part of a broader pattern of undermining independent oversight within government operations.