A federal judge said Wednesday that President Trump broke the law when he fired many of the government’s inspectors general, but she said she’s powerless at this point to restore their jobs.

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, an Obama appointee, said the Inspector General Act requires that Mr. Trump notify Congress and give a valid reason when he boots an inspector general from office. He did not.

“President Trump violated the IGA. That much is obvious,” Judge Reyes said.

But she said in order to grant an injunction restoring them to their jobs, they must also prove they’ve suffered irreparable harm. And Judge Reyes said they cannot prove that.

She said even if they are restored to their previous posts, Mr. Trump could fire them again just by following the correct procedures, so their return would be iffy at best.

The judge left open the possibility of seeking back pay, but said that could depend on the Supreme Court, which recently took a case where it questioned what role judges have to play in refereeing firings of senior administration officials.

Inspectors general serve as watchdogs within government departments and agencies. They look for waste and fraud, and explore bureaucratic bungles and malfeasance.

Judge Reyes pointed out the idea for installing them was born out of Watergate, when Congress wanted independent auditors inside the departments.

The law requiring notice and a reason for firing was adopted in 2022, in response to Mr. Trump’s previous move in 2020 to fire two inspectors general because he’d lost confidence. Congress has demanded more reasons, but the president rebuffed lawmakers, leading to amendments to the IGA requiring the advance notice to Capitol Hill.

Mr. Trump made his new round of firings on Jan. 24, just days into his new term. The firings came in short emails.

Eight of them sued, led by Robert Storch, who was serving as inspector general at the Defense Department.

Others fired included the lead investigators at the departments of Labor, Energy, State, Commerce, Interior, Transportation, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Health and Human Services and Housing and Urban Development.

Judge Reyes repeatedly expressed her sorrow at not being able to deliver for the fired auditors.

“The court recognizes plaintiffs’ exceptional service as IGs, marked by decades of distinguished leadership across multiple administrations,” she wrote. “They deserved better from their government. They still do. Unfortunately, this court cannot provide plaintiffs more.”

• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.