I guess it all depends on what the meaning of the word ‘independent’ is. How often do IG’s release reports that fully expose serious malfeasance and mismanagement within an agency and how accurately do they report the true financial cost to taxpayers? The answer is never.
Another factor in the world of IG’s is congressional pressures. Yes, there is that too. Trust me, it happens.
If they were truly independent what would stop them from aggressively investigating wrongdoing and letting the chips fall where they may?
I know this will come as a shock, but this is easy. When vacancies occur, IGs are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, and so they pick proven reliable, incompetent lazy do-nothings for the job because no one wants someone who will stir up trouble. Why go to the fuss and bother of hard work, stirring up trouble getting to the bottom of fraud, inefficiency and corruption, when you can just go through the motions, take long lunches, travel as much as you want, and get praise heaped upon you for your diligence in discovering that there really is not much to see, anywhere.
It's all just a day's work in the swamp.