Amid the dismissal of several inspectors general (IGs) by President Donald Trump this past spring, lawmakers of both parties introduced legislation to protect the independence of these agency watchdogs. Congress initially passed legislation in 1978 to establish oversight within federal agencies via the independent inspectors general positions. The law, which was updated in 2008, requires the president to notify Congress at least 30 days prior to removing an IG from office and to provide a reason for the removal. In just a few weeks in spring 2020, President Trump removed two IGs and replaced three acting IGs. In May, he…