WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Republican chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the panel's top Democrat asked U.S. President Donald Trump to detail his rationale for firing 18 inspectors general that provide oversight at U.S. government agencies.

President Donald Trump fired more than a dozen inspectors general across the federal government apparently without giving Congress the required notice and reasons, providing an early test for a recently formed caucus aimed at protecting agency watchdogs.

The leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a rare bipartisan letter to President Trump demanding an explanation for his firing of 17 inspectors general (IG) in one night. The rebuke said Trump violated the law by failing to give Congress 30 days’ notice and a rationale for the removal for each of the watchdogs

The U.S. Senate voted 77 to 22 on Tuesday to confirm former U.S. Representative Sean Duffy to head the U.S. Transportation Department. Duffy, who was nominated by President Donald Trump, says Boeing n

Sean Duffy has been confirmed as transportation secretary, giving him a key role in President Donald Trump's administration

Sean Duffy sailed through his Senate confirmation vote to be transportation secretary, just before some of President Trump's more controversial nominees will be facing their confirmation hearings this week.