Internet shreds Biden for firing railroad inspector general over toxic work environment allegations

WASHINGTON, DC: President Joe Biden told Speaker Mike Johnson on Friday, March 29 that he was firing Martin Dickman, the US Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) inspector general, for allegedly creating a hostile work environment, according to The Hill.

Notably, Biden gave Johnson a letter announcing the firing, which occurred after the president received the results of an inquiry into Dickman's actions that the independent Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency had started in January 2023 in response to accusations.

Joe Biden removes Inspector General of RRB

A source informed The Hill that the inquiry found proof that Dickman used abusive behavior, including insulting coworkers and using offensive language like slurs, to create a hostile workplace.

Moreover, with immediate effect, Dickman, who was confirmed for the role in 1994 by the Clinton administration, would be placed on administrative leave with no responsibility. His employment will be terminated on April 28.

The source claims that Biden intends to appoint Tennessee Valley Authority inspector general Ben R Wagner as RRB's acting inspector general. Wagner will continue to hold his previous position while acting inspector general.

The Securing Inspector General Independence Act of 2022 mandates that if the president wants to remove an inspector general, they have to give Congress 30 days' notice. According to the source, the Biden administration determined that Wagner needed to be appointed because impartial leadership from outside RRB was required in light of the difficulties surrounding the poisonous work climate that resulted in Dickman's termination.

The inspector general's RRB office is in charge of carrying out impartial audits, evaluations, and investigations. Railroad workers and their families get unemployment-sickness benefits and retirement-survivor pensions from RRB, an organization with its headquarters located in Illinois.

Notably, the Senate must confirm the inspector general nominee once the president appoints them. With Dickman's dismissal, Biden has now fired an inspector general for cause for the first time.

Moreover, other presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed federal employees have also had their employment terminated by the president. In 2023, for example, former Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton was fired after the inspector general reported that he had misused a government vehicle and had purportedly impersonated a law enforcement officer.

Internet takes aim at Joe Biden for his decision

Several people on the internet took a shot at Joe Biden after he fired the US Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) inspector general for allegedly creating a hostile work environment.

A user wrote, "lol you know you’re bad when the Biden admin actually fires you," while one added, "He needs to fire himself!" A person also wrote, "Another deficient DEI disaster brewing."

A person also stated, "He must have not agreed with Biden," whereas one wrote, "Biden should not resign over his own toxic workplace. F'n hypocrite."

A user also mentioned, "If that’s all it takes. Biden should be fired for creating a hostile country."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.