Trump Fires USAID Inspector General Amid Oversight Concerns

U.S. President Donald Trump has dismissed the USAID Inspector General, raising questions about government oversight and accountability within the agency.

According to reports from major media outlets such as The Washington Post and CNN, former U.S. President Donald Trump has removed Paul Martin from his position as the independent inspector general for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Martin’s removal follows just one day after his office published a report criticizing the Trump administration for its management of USAID, especially regarding efforts to reduce the agency’s operations.

They referenced a brief email from the White House, sent to Martin on Tuesday, informing him that his position was “terminated, effective immediately,” without providing any explanation for the decision.

The report from his office had cautioned that over $489 million in food assistance was at risk of spoilage or potential diversion following the Trump administration’s implementation of an aid freeze and stop-work order.

The report stated that it had long recognized major challenges and provided recommendations to enhance agency programs aimed at preventing fraud, waste, and abuse.

Recent widespread staffing reductions across the Agency, along with uncertainty regarding the scope of foreign assistance waivers and permissible communications with implementers, have weakened USAID’s capacity to distribute and protect taxpayer-funded humanitarian aid.

Trump had already dismissed 18 inspectors general, who serve as independent overseers of the federal government. However, Martin—appointed by Trump’s predecessor Joe Biden—continued to hold his position.

Trump, who started his second term last month, has initiated a campaign spearheaded by Elon Musk, the world’s richest individual and his top donor, to reduce or dismantle large portions of the US government.

The primary focus of criticism has been USAID, the leading organization responsible for distributing U.S. humanitarian aid globally through health and emergency programs in approximately 120 countries.

USAID oversees a budget of $42.8 billion, accounting for 42 percent of humanitarian aid distributed globally.

It was regarded as an essential tool of soft power for the United States in its competition for influence against rivals such as China.

The Trump administration has halted foreign aid, recalled thousands of internationally stationed staff to the United States, and started reducing USAID’s workforce from 10,000 employees to approximately 300.

Labor unions are disputing the legality of the initiative. On Friday, a federal judge issued an order to halt the administration’s plan to place 2,200 USAID workers on paid leave by this weekend.

Democrats argue that it would violate the Constitution if Trump were to close government agencies without approval from the legislature.