Trump removes acting Pentagon inspector general overseeing coronavirus spending

President Trump has removed acting Defense Department Inspector General Glen Fine from his post, also ending his brief tenure as chairman of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, responsible for oversight of the $2 trillion spending package recently passed by Congress and signed into law by the president. 

Fine was appointed last week as chair of the group of inspectors general responsible for the oversight. However, the demotion means he can no longer serve in that capacity because he is no longer an IG.

"The DoD OIG is still part of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee," spokesperson Dwrena K. Allen said according to CNN. "Mr. Fine is no longer serving as the Chair because he is no longer serving in an acting IG capacity."

"Glenn Fine reverts to his position as the Principal Deputy Inspector General. He remains focused and committed to the important mission of the DoD OIG," Allen said.

The president has selected Environmental Protection Agency Inspector General Sean W. O'Donnell to continue in his current role while also adding the role of acting Defense Department IG, according to Allen, who also noted that Trump has nominated Jason Abend to be the next Defense Department IG.

President Trump on Friday fired Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson.