USAID Inspector General Fired Amidst Agency Criticism

Paul Martin, inspector general of USAID, was fired following a report critiquing the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle the agency. This has affected its oversight on $8.2 billion in unspent aid. Trump's policy led to mass staff cuts, although a judge blocked some administrative actions.

The inspector general for the U.S. Agency for International Development, Paul Martin, was fired on Tuesday, shortly after his office issued a report condemning the Trump administration's efforts to disband the agency. Martin had held the Senate-confirmed role since December 2023, a USAID official disclosed.

On condition of anonymity, the official mentioned Martin was "removed from his position," confirmed by Trent Morse's email, the deputy director of the Office of Presidential Personnel. The email stated that Martin's role was terminated "effective immediately," offering no explanation. The White House refrained from commenting.

The inspector general's report, released on Monday, highlighted that the Trump administration's dismantling of USAID impeded its ability to oversee $8.2 billion of unspent aid. Staff reductions and stop-work orders challenged ensuring aid reached its intended recipients. Following Trump's January freeze on U.S. foreign aid, hundreds of programs nearly collapsed, as Trump tasked Elon Musk to downsize the agency. Despite administrative leave orders for staff, a judge intervened. USAID's 2023 initiatives, funded at $72 billion, were essential for global diplomacy and countering rivals like China and Russia.

(With inputs from agencies.)