Phyllis Fong, a 22-year veteran of the department, had earlier told colleagues that she intended to stay after the White House terminated her Friday, saying that she didn’t believe the

Phyllis Fong, a 22-year veteran, said the Trump administration had not followed proper protocols, according to Reuters sources.

The USDA Inspector General deals with food safety, audits and investigations of the Agriculture Department and violations of animal welfare laws. The USDA has been one of the main agencies dealing with the outbreak of bird flu, which has spread to cattle and poultry. One person in Louisiana has died from the disease.

The inspector general of the USDA was reportedly forced out of her office by security after refusing to comply with her dismissal by the Trump administration.

The White House removed the independent inspectors general of nearly every Cabinet-level agency including the Agriculture Department “in an unprecedented purge that could clear the way for President Donald Trump to

An Agriculture Department inspector general was reportedly escorted out of her office by security agents for failing to comply with President Trump's order firing at least 17 inspectors general. The incident is being reported by Reuters, based on sources familiar with the matter.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Inspector General Phyllis Fong had intended to stay after the White House terminated her, saying she believed the administration did not follow proper protocols.

Fong has served for over two decades, under four presidents. She was initially appointed by Republican president George W. Bush.