USAID inspector general fired days after publishing report critical of aid pause

The recent firing of USAID Inspector General Paul Martin by the White House has raised concerns about the agency’s future and its oversight of humanitarian funds. The dismissal, which reportedly came from the White House Office of Presidential Personnel rather than USAID acting administrator Marco Rubio, comes in the wake of a critical report published by Martin regarding the Trump administration’s pause on aid.

Just a day before his firing, Martin had warned that the administration’s dismantling of USAID had hindered the agency’s ability to monitor $8.2 billion in humanitarian funds. This move has sparked further scrutiny of USAID’s spending practices, with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its chair, Elon Musk, investigating the agency and preparing to potentially revamp or close it down.

In response to these developments, USAID announced on its website that nearly all personnel would be placed on leave, with overseas missions instructed to shut down. This comes as part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to reevaluate the agency’s operations and effectiveness.

Recent investigations have also uncovered questionable spending by USAID, including funding provided to extremist groups with ties to designated terrorist organizations. This revelation has raised concerns about the agency’s oversight and allocation of funds, prompting calls for further scrutiny and reform.

Established in 1961 under the Kennedy administration, USAID has long been a key player in allocating civilian foreign aid in partnership with the State Department. However, under Rubio’s leadership, the agency faces an uncertain future as lawmakers consider its potential abolition in the midst of ongoing reforms.

With USAID’s future hanging in the balance, stakeholders are closely monitoring developments to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective use of taxpayer funds. The firing of Inspector General Paul Martin serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the agency and the need for robust oversight in the humanitarian aid sector.

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By Greg Wehner, breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital. For story tips and ideas, contact Greg.Wehner@Fox.com or follow him on Twitter @GregWehner.