Donald Trump Removes OGE Director, Raising Ethics Concerns
President Donald Trump has removed David Huitema, the head of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), in a move that raises fresh concerns about oversight and accountability within the administration. Huitema, who had been confirmed by the Senate in November and officially took office in December, was informed of his dismissal via email over the weekend.
Huitema’s appointment followed a lengthy confirmation process. Initially nominated by President Joe Biden, his approval faced delays in the Senate before finally being confirmed with a 50-46 vote during a post-election session. OGE directors typically serve five-year terms, allowing them to operate across different administrations to maintain ethical consistency. However, Donald Trump’s decision to remove him signals a departure from this norm.
A statement on the OGE website confirmed Huitema’s removal, announcing a transition to an acting director. Donald Trump has since appointed Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins as the interim head of the ethics agency. The White House has yet to provide an official statement on the reason for Huitema’s dismissal.
Huitema, a veteran government ethics official with nearly two decades of experience, expressed disappointment over his abrupt departure. He stated that he was not given a clear explanation for the decision but speculated that the administration preferred to limit independent oversight.
During his tenure, Huitema and his team were responsible for reviewing financial disclosures and ethics agreements for high-level nominees, ensuring compliance with federal conflict of interest regulations. His office had recently scrutinized financial disclosures of wealthy individuals tapped for key roles in Trump’s administration.
His removal coincided with a request from Democratic Senator Adam Schiff, who had written to Huitema and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles seeking information on whether tech billionaire Elon Musk was adhering to federal ethics and conflict-of-interest laws. Musk, a significant donor to Trump’s campaign, has been granted broad authority to review federal expenditures and oversee government data infrastructure despite his businesses holding substantial government contracts.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt previously assured the press that Musk would recuse himself from any situation that posed a conflict of interest. However, the lack of formal safeguards has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers concerned about ethical breaches.
Trump’s decision to dismiss Huitema follows a broader pattern of removing government watchdogs. Since taking office, he has fired inspectors general across multiple federal agencies, raising concerns among ethics advocates about the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
Norm Eisen, former White House ethics czar during the Obama administration, emphasized the historical precedent of OGE directors continuing their service into new administrations. He argued that Huitema’s removal is part of a broader effort to weaken oversight mechanisms.
While the OGE does not set policy, its role is crucial in guiding federal employees to comply with ethics laws and avoid conflicts of interest. Huitema maintained that the office’s mission was to support ethical governance rather than dictate policy decisions.
With Huitema’s departure, the future of ethical oversight in the Donald Trump administration remains uncertain, prompting further scrutiny from lawmakers and watchdog groups alike.
