Trump Ousts USAID Inspector General Following Scathing Report

President Donald Trump has removed Paul Martin, the independent inspector general of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), following a report from Martin’s office criticizing the Trump administration. The report cautioned that more than $489 million worth of food aid would be lost or diverted because of a freeze on assistance and a stop-work order. Martin lost his job a day after the release of the report when the White House emailed to inform him that his services had been terminated, without, however, indicating the reason.

The report was alarmed at the challenges USAID is facing, including staff reductions and uncertainty about foreign assistance regulations. Trump has previously removed other inspectors general, but Martin, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden, had remained in office. USAID, which administers U.S. humanitarian aid worldwide, has seen cuts and staff reductions under Trump, and Democrats argue that Trump’s actions are unconstitutional without congressional approval.