Phyllis Fong
Phyllis Fong | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Inspector General of the United States Department of Agriculture | |
| In office December 2, 2002 – January 24, 2025 | |
| President | George W. Bush Barack Obama Donald Trump Joe Biden Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Joyce Fleischman (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | TBD |
| Inspector General of the Small Business Administration | |
| In office April 6, 1999 – December 2, 2002 | |
| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Karen Lee (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Peter McClintock (Acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Spouse | Paul Tellier |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Pomona College (BA) Vanderbilt University (JD) |
Phyllis Fong is an American attorney who served as the inspector general of the United States Department of Agriculture from 2002 until her removal in 2025. Fong was nominated to the position in 2002 by President George W. Bush.[1] She was removed from her position in 2025 by the Trump administration.
Early life and education
[edit]Fong was born in Philadelphia and raised in Honolulu. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Asian studies from Pomona College and Juris Doctor from the Vanderbilt University Law School.
Career
[edit]Fong began her career as a staff attorney for the United States Commission on Civil Rights. She then served as assistant general counsel for the Legal Services Corporation and assistant inspector general for management and policy. After serving as assistant inspector general for management and legal counsel, Fong was nominated to serve as inspector general of the Small Business Administration in 1999. Fong was nominated to serve as inspector general of the United States Department of Agriculture in 2002 and was confirmed on December 2, 2002.[2][3][4][1]
In April 2020, Fong was appointed to serve as a member of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee.[5]
On January 24, 2025, President Donald Trump terminated Fong along with several other inspectors generals.[6] Fong intended to remain in her position, believing the Trump administration did not follow the proper protocol.[7] She was later escorted out of her office.[8]
Personal life
[edit]Fong and her husband have two children. Her husband is also an attorney.[9][10]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Phyllis Fong | Video | C-SPAN.org". www.c-span.org. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
- ^ "Phyllis K. Fong | Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency; IGnet". www.ignet.gov. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
- ^ "Phyllis K. Fong Inspector General, U.S. Department of Agriculture" (PDF).
- ^ Mccrimmon, Ryan (February 12, 2020). "What USDA's watchdogs are watching". POLITICO. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
- ^ "Inspectors General Appointed to COVID-19 Response Oversight Committee – Homeland Security Today". April 2, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ Messerly, Megan (January 25, 2025). "Trump fires independent inspectors general in Friday night purge". POLITICO.
- ^ Levy, Rachael (January 29, 2025). "USDA inspector general escorted out of her office after defying White House". Reuters.
- ^ Whisnant, Gabe; Mesa, Jesus (January 29, 2025). "Former USDA inspector general defies Trump order, escorted from her office". Newsweek.
- ^ "Biography for Phyllis Fong". U.S. Department of Agriculture. Archived from the original on December 14, 2004.
- ^ "Phyllis Fong '78 and Paul Tellier '78". Vanderbilt University. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
- American women lawyers
- American lawyers
- Living people
- Lawyers from Honolulu
- Lawyers from Philadelphia
- Pomona College alumni
- United States Department of Agriculture officials
- United States Department of Agriculture people
- United States inspectors general by name
- Vanderbilt University Law School alumni
- Inspectors General (IGs) dismissed by Donald Trump
- Inspectors general removed or fired by Donald Trump