President Donald Trump's recent removal of the director of the Office of Government Ethics has ignited a firestorm of controversy regarding conflict of interest and ethics oversight in his administration.
The Controversial Dismissal
David Huitema, who was confirmed by the Senate in December for a five-year term, was abruptly dismissed by President Trump. The announcement was made in a single sentence on the OGE website, stating that Trump is removing him as director. The office will now be led by an acting director, Shelley K. Finlayson, who currently serves as the chief of staff and program counsel at the office.
Oversight Concerns
This move is part of a pattern in which Trump has sought to remove individuals responsible for oversight of his administration from federal positions. In addition to Huitema, prosecutors involved in Jan. 6 cases have also been removed by the administration. The decision to dismiss Huitema, particularly following his contentious confirmation process, is expected to trigger criticism, especially from Democrats who have been vocal about concerns regarding ethics oversight.
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) has raised questions about Elon Musk's compliance with ethics standards as a 'special government employee.' Additionally, Schiff has inquired about Musk's financial disclosures and potential waivers exempting him from conflict of interest statutes.
A History of Service
Huitema, a former ethics chief at the State Department with nine years of service, was appointed by President Joe Biden in 2023. However, his confirmation was stalled in the Democratic-controlled Senate for over a year. Despite efforts by Senate Democrats to expedite the process, objections were raised by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), citing concerns about partisanship and the timing of the appointment.