‘Viper’s nest’: USAID accused of corruption, mismanagement long before Trump admin took aim
The fate of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is hanging in the balance as the second Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) works on an apparent overhaul of the agency. A review of USAID’s recent history shows that it has been repeatedly accused of financial mismanagement and corruption long before Donald Trump’s second administration, according to Fox News Digital.
Tech billionaire and DOGE Chair Elon Musk has been leading the charge against USAID, pushing for the agency to be shut down as part of DOGE’s mission to cut government spending. Musk announced in an audio-only message on X that the agency is in the process of being shut down, with President Donald Trump reportedly agreeing to the move. As of Monday morning, hundreds of USAID employees reported being locked out of the agency’s computer system, and its headquarters in Washington, D.C., was closed.
Musk has been vocal about his disdain for USAID, calling it a “criminal organization” and accusing it of being filled with “marxists” who hate America. Trump has also been a critic of USAID, proposing budget cuts to the agency during his first administration. He has long argued that the U.S. should stop sending foreign aid to countries that do not support American interests.
In recent years, USAID has faced a number of controversies, including allegations that the agency helped fund terrorist organizations and Chinese groups. Senator Tom Cotton raised concerns about the misuse of U.S. humanitarian aid sent to Gaza, suggesting that Hamas terrorists had diverted the aid. USAID pushed back on these claims, stating that it does not fund organizations with ties to terrorist groups.
In another case, a Syrian national was charged with diverting millions in U.S.-funded humanitarian aid to terrorist groups, including the Al-Nusrah Front. The U.S. Attorney involved in the case emphasized the importance of holding individuals like this accountable for their crimes.
Furthermore, former USAID administrator Samantha Power was found to have repeatedly met with left-wing groups such as George Soros’ Open Society Foundations while serving as the agency’s administrator. Power’s connections to these organizations raised questions about potential conflicts of interest and the impartiality of USAID’s work.
The future of USAID remains uncertain as DOGE continues its efforts to overhaul the agency. With Musk leading the charge and Trump’s apparent support for shutting down USAID, it is clear that significant changes are on the horizon for the agency. Only time will tell what the final outcome will be for USAID and its role in administering economic aid to foreign nations.
