The White House has dismissed Paul Martin, the inspector general of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), amidst growing scrutiny of the agency's spending practices and potential dismantling by the Trump administration.
The White House has dismissed Paul Martin, the inspector general of the U.S. Agency for International Development ( USAID ), according to Fox News. The firing occurred on Tuesday, originating from the White House Office of Presidential Personnel rather than USAID acting administrator and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This dismissal follows closely on the heels of a critical report published by the USAID inspector general regarding the Trump administration's suspension of aid.
It also coincides with a recent warning issued by USAID that the Trump administration's dismantling of the agency has rendered it virtually incapable of monitoring $8.2 billion in humanitarian funds.USAID is currently facing scrutiny from the Trump administration as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its chair, Elon Musk, investigate the agency's spending practices and contemplate a potential overhaul or even closure. The agency announced on February 4th that nearly all personnel would be placed on leave by the end of the week, with exceptions made for those involved in 'mission-critical functions, core leadership, and specially designated programs.' Reports indicate that overseas missions have also been instructed to cease operations.Lawmakers, news outlets, and think tanks have been delving into past reports concerning USAID spending amidst the apparent dismantling of the agency, uncovering numerous instances where money was channeled to questionable organizations or programs. These examples include creating a version of 'Sesame Street' in Iraq and funding pottery classes in Morocco. This week, a report published by the Middle East Forum, a U.S. think tank, revealed that USAID provided millions of dollars in funding to extremist groups linked to designated terrorist organizations and their affiliates.Established in 1961 under the Kennedy administration, USAID operates as an independent agency collaborating closely with the State Department to allocate civilian foreign aid. Under Rubio's leadership, the agency's future hangs in the balance, with potential for abolition following its reorganization in the coming days. He communicated this possibility in a letter addressed to bipartisan lawmakers on February 3rd. Fox News Digital's Emma Colton and The Associated Press contributed to this report
USAID White House Inspector General Trump Administration Department Of Government Efficiency Elon Musk Foreign Aid Humanitarian Funds Congressional Investigation
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