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.

Security agents escorted the inspector general of the U.S. Department of Agriculture out of her office on Monday after she refused to comply with her firing by the Trump administration, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

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