USAID has ‘demonstrated pattern of obstructionism,’ claims top DOGE Republican in letter to Rubio
The Senate chair of the DOGE Caucus, Senator Joni Ernst, has recently exposed what she calls a “demonstrated pattern of obstructionism” at the U.S.’s top aid agency, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ernst outlined how USAID has been “stonewalling” her office for years as she sought documents to ensure that taxpayer dollars were not being wasted at the agency. This comes as the agency is now under the scrutiny of billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Ernst expressed her concerns to Fox News Digital, stating, “USAID’s spending shows a blatant disregard for the wishes of American taxpayers, and it is time to disrupt the system.” She pointed out instances where USAID had wasted millions of tax dollars on projects such as tourism in Lebanon, Sesame Street in Iraq, and sending Ukrainians to Paris Fashion Week.
One particularly alarming revelation was that USAID misled Ernst’s staff into believing that details about funds going to businesses in Ukraine were classified. However, after demanding to speak to the USAID Office of Security, it was discovered that the data was, in fact, unclassified. Ernst’s staff found that over 5,000 Ukrainian businesses had received U.S. taxpayer-funded assistance, with awards of up to $2 million each, some of which were used for extravagant expenses like attending film festivals and fashion shows in cities like Berlin, Paris, and Las Vegas.
Furthermore, Ernst accused USAID of misleading her office on the costs of indirect aid. The agency claimed that it did not have a system to track or report on indirect costs between for-profit and nonprofit organizations. However, after further investigation, Ernst uncovered a publicly reported NICRA database that USAID had confirmed existed but refused to provide access to her staff.
In response to this series of misjudgments and oversight obstruction by USAID, Ernst emphasized the importance of conducting a full and independent analysis of the recipients of USAID assistance. She also highlighted the case of Chemonics, a government contractor that had over-billed the U.S. government by $270 million and had been involved in illicit activities related to USAID-funded projects.
In light of these findings, Ernst called for an end to the stonewalling and emphasized the need to scrutinize every dollar being spent by the agency. As USAID faces a standstill, with all direct hire staff being placed on leave globally, there are discussions within the Trump administration about merging the agency with the State Department.
While Republicans like Rubio have criticized USAID as being unresponsive and in need of reform, Democratic lawmakers argue that the agency is essential for promoting U.S. soft power, preventing disease outbreaks, and safeguarding national security. They warn that weakening USAID could have negative consequences for American interests abroad and embolden other nations like China and Russia.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding USAID’s spending practices highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability within the agency. As investigations continue and reforms are considered, it is crucial to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used effectively and responsibly to further U.S. foreign policy objectives.
