The inspector general of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) was terminated on Tuesday, following the release of a report that raised concerns about the impact of the Trump administration's actions on the aid agency.
Paul Martin, who had been serving as the agency's independent watchdog since December 2023, received an email notifying him of his immediate termination from his position as inspector general.
The report from the USAID Office of Inspector General (OIG) highlighted the challenges posed by the Trump administration's reduction of USAID personnel and its freeze on foreign assistance. The report warned that these actions could hinder efforts to prevent the misuse of US taxpayer-funded humanitarian aid, potentially allowing funds to fall into the hands of terror groups.
Specifically, the report pointed out that USAID's partner vetting processes in countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Syria, the West Bank and Gaza, and Yemen had been severely impacted by the staffing cuts at the agency. Partner vetting is crucial to ensuring that taxpayer funds do not inadvertently support groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, ISIS, or the Houthis.
As a result of the reduction in staff, the vetting efforts have stalled, raising concerns about the potential risks associated with the distribution of aid in conflict-affected regions.
Source has reached out to Paul Martin and the White House for further comments on the situation.
