President Donald Trump fired more than a dozen government watchdogs late Friday in a move that appears to have violated federal law requiring him to notify Congress.

President Donald Trump fired the inspectors general from more than a dozen federal agencies in a Friday night purge, according to a Trump administration official, paving the way for him to install his own picks for the independent watchdog roles.

The White House defied a law that requires giving Congress 30 days’ notice and detailed reasons before removing the watchdog officials.

Democrats described Trump's late-night firing of the federal agency inspectors general as an 'attack on Democracy'.

"The American people, if we don't have good and independent inspector generals, are going to see the swamp refill," Schiff said.

Several key U.S. Senate Republicans on Sunday defended President Donald Trump's decision to fire independent government watchdogs across at least 17 federal agencies, even though the move ran afoul of federal law.

The watchdogs say the removals may be invalid for failing to comply with a 2022 law requiring a 30-day notification to Congress before removals.