Four different inspectors general appeared before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability on April 19, 2023. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption

Alex Wong/Getty Images

Four different inspectors general appeared before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability on April 19, 2023.

Alex Wong/Getty Images

The Trump administration continues to fire, shut down or defund independent elements of the federal government that traditionally work as a check on presidential power.

Supporters of President Trump say: That’s exactly the point.

For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

This episode was produced by Brianna Scott. It was edited by Courtney Dorning, Patrick Jarenwattananon, Kelsey Snell and Nadia Lancy. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.