Several key U.S. Senate Republicans on Sunday defended President Donald Trump'sdecision to fire independent government watchdogs across at least 17 federal agencies, even though the move ran afoul of federal law.

The Trump administration has fired more than a dozen independent inspectors general at government agencies, a sweeping action to remove oversight of his new administration that some members of Congress are suggesting violated federal oversight laws.

The watchdogs say the removals may be invalid for failing to comply with a 2022 law requiring a 30-day notification to Congress before removals.