The independent inspectors general of multiple key government agencies were dismissed by President Donald Trump’s administration on a late Friday, as reported.

The affected agencies encompassed the departments of defense, state, transportation, veterans affairs, housing and urban development, interior, and energy, according to sources cited by the Washington Post.

The New York Times said the purge affected 17 agencies but spared the Department of Justice inspector general, Michael Horowitz.

Reports indicate that these actions may have breached federal regulations, specifically a law mandating that Congress be given a 30-day advance notice prior to the removal of inspectors general.

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the reports.

An inspector general is an independent position that conducts audits, investigations and inspectors into allegations of waste, fraud and abuse. They can be removed by the president or the agency head, depending on who nominated or appointed them.

Most of those dismissed were appointees from Trump’s 2017-2021 first term, the Washington Post reporting, saying those affected had been notified by emails from the White House personnel director that they had been terminated effective immediately.