Page 49 - FCW, August 2017

picion and do not serve govern- ment well. That these perceptions exist is as much the fault of the executive branch — because of its failure to include and regularly interact with the IG community as part of mission operations — as it is the fault of Congress for adding more IG authorities and encour- aging sometimes sensational IG reporting.
Balutis: I read a rather well-done article recently by Glenn Fine, currently the acting IG at DOD
and formerly the IG at the Justice Department, in which he outlines “seven principles of highly effective inspectors general.” I looked back at it when I saw your comments, Don. Principle 1 was “Remain indepen- dent.” Accountability wasn’t men-
tioned, although to be fair it might be implied in Principle 4: “Provide potential solutions.”
Upson: President Donald Trump has an opportunity to restore the balance originally envisioned in the IG Act between accountability and indepen- dence. IGs play an important role in identifying wasteful and mismanaged operations, and they are rightfully obligated to report to and work with Congress. They also were envisioned to support the president and execu- tive branch by identifying wasteful practices, fraud and abuse.
Unlike with previous administra- tions of both parties, the opportunity exists today for more disciplined and regular interaction between Cabi- net officers, agency heads and their respective IGs. Trump would also
be well served by meeting through- out the year with the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency — the statutory govern- mentwide IG forum.
Balutis: That role, on behalf of the president, falls to the Office of Management and Budget’s deputy director for management. But that position is currently vacant.
When appointed and confirmed, that person should focus first on two things: hiring and retaining the best IGs, and purging or reining in those who won’t help “restore honesty
and accountability and bring change to Washington” (a mildly para- phrased quote from Trump’s “Con- tract with the American Voter”) because it might undermine their “independence.” n
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