Phyllis Fong removed from office after challenging termination linked to Neuralink investigation

Phyllis Fong, the inspector general of the US Department of Agriculture, was forcibly removed from her office after refusing to accept her termination notice. She claimed the notice was not legally valid and intended to stay in her position. Fong was involved in investigations into Elon Musk's Neuralink for potential animal welfare violations, as well as other cases like the Boar's Head listeria outbreak. Her removal is part of a broader dismissal of watchdogs by the Trump administration. The White House defended the action, describing Fong and others as "rogue, partisan bureaucrats." They stated that the changes were necessary to bring in individuals aligned with the administration's priorities.