Wed Feb 12 03:23:06 UTC 2025: ## USAID Inspector General Fired After Critical Report on Trump-Era Cuts

**Washington, D.C. – February 12, 2025** – The Inspector General of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Paul Martin, was abruptly dismissed on Tuesday, February 11th. The firing followed the release of a report from Martin’s office on Monday criticizing the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle the agency.

The report highlighted that the Trump administration’s actions, including staff cuts and a freeze on foreign aid, crippled USAID’s ability to oversee billions of dollars in unspent aid. The report specifically cited $8.2 billion in aid funds whose proper allocation could not be ensured due to the disruptions. Hundreds of USAID programs were halted following President Trump’s January 20th order freezing most foreign aid.

A USAID official, speaking anonymously, confirmed Martin’s dismissal, citing an email from Trent Morse, deputy director of the Office of Presidential Personnel. No reason for the firing was given, and the White House declined to comment. President Trump, however, called USAID “incompetent and corrupt” on Tuesday and assigned billionaire Elon Musk with the task of scaling down the agency.

The firing comes amidst ongoing legal challenges to the Trump administration’s attempt to place most of USAID’s workforce on administrative leave. A judge blocked this action last week. USAID’s budget, less than 1% of the U.S. federal budget, amounted to $72 billion in fiscal year 2023, funding initiatives such as women’s health, clean water access, and combating corruption globally. The agency provided 42% of all UN-tracked humanitarian aid in 2024. The funding is considered crucial for building alliances, reinforcing diplomacy, and countering the influence of adversaries like China and Russia.

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