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In January 2025, Donald Trump executed a sweeping purge, firing 17 impartial inspectors normal throughout federal companies — eliminating key watchdogs who have been tasked with holding the federal government accountable. Now, Atlanta’s management is following the identical playbook, concentrating on the very establishment designed to make sure moral governance in our metropolis.
If there’s nothing to cover, why are Mayor Andre Dickens and a handful of Metropolis Council members attempting to intestine the Workplace of Inspector Common (OIG) — the one company devoted to rooting out fraud, corruption, waste, and abuse?
Atlanta has seen this earlier than. From Invoice Campbell to Kasim Reed, historical past has proven us precisely what occurs when no impartial watchdog retains our metropolis leaders in test. That’s why the OIG was created in 2020 — to cease Atlanta from being run for the rich and well-connected as a substitute of the individuals. And in only a few years, it has already uncovered thousands and thousands in misconduct, together with:
- $120,000 in improper spending by Mayor Dickens for the 2022 Senior Ball
- A Human Sources Commissioner abusing their place to create a task for a member of the family
- A marketing campaign supervisor for Councilmember Michael Julian Bond failing to reveal monetary ties earlier than securing thousands and thousands in metropolis contracts
- Metropolis Planning workers accepting bribes to fast-track permits
Now, fairly than strengthening accountability, Mayor Dickens and several other Metropolis Council members are pushing Ordinance #25-O-1009, a invoice designed to strip the OIG of its energy, making it practically unattainable to carry metropolis officers accountable.
The Atlanta Inspector Common simply resigned, recognizing that the proposed ordinance would flip the workplace right into a toothless watchdog. The Affiliation of Inspectors Common has additionally warned that the invoice would cripple oversight, erode public belief, and depart Atlanta susceptible to even deeper corruption.
And the timing? Suspicious at greatest. This transfer to weaken accountability comes as metropolis officers push to extend their very own salaries by over 35%—a money seize that raises severe questions on who they actually serve.
They declare the OIG have to be weakened to adjust to state regulation. However the information inform a distinct story:
- The OIG has adopted the town constitution as required.
- Town’s personal lawyer solely lately “found” potential authorized considerations after the OIG uncovered corruption.
- State regulation shouldn’t be twisted to undermine impartial oversight.
Trump’s purge of federal inspectors normal was an assault on democracy, a blatant try and take away anybody who may maintain the highly effective accountable. What’s occurring in Atlanta is not any completely different. The individuals in cost try to rig the system of their favor whereas hardworking Atlantans wrestle to afford hire, healthcare, and primary companies.
Absolute energy corrupts completely. So why is Mayor Dickens attempting to seize extra of it?
Atlanta deserves a authorities that works for us, not towards us. The OIG should stay impartial, absolutely funded, and empowered to do its job. We can not permit politicians to strip away accountability simply to guard themselves.
We received’t stand for this energy seize. And we received’t cease preventing till our metropolis leaders put individuals over politics.
Atlanta deserves higher. Let’s demand it.
Fallon McClure is the Deputy Southeast Regional Director, Working Households Energy
SEE ALSO:
Presidents Are Typically Judged By Historical past By way of The Lens Of Morality
