Trump fires multiple federal inspectors general in overnight purge [Video]

The Trump administration purged at least a dozen federal inspectors general overnight Friday, multiple sources confirmed to CBS News. It is an unprecedented move that will likely result in legal challenges.

In a letter to a White House personnel official, obtained by CBS News on Saturday, the inspector general of the U.S. Small Business Administration said the firings are legally dubious and will be challenged.

Mike Ware, who said in the letter that he was among the firings, argued that he “does not believe the actions taken are legally sufficient.”

According to Ware, he and other inspectors general were sent an email from Sergio Gor, the director of presidential personnel, on Friday informing them that “due to changing priorities, your position as Inspector General . . . is terminated, effective immediately.”

Ware, in his letter, recommended Gor reach out to White House legal counsel to discuss the “intended course of …