Trump Removes USAID Inspector General Amid Oversight Concerns

The Trump administration has dismissed Paul Martin, the inspector general of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), after he released a report critical of the administration's cuts to the agency. Martin's report highlighted that the administration's actions, including a foreign aid freeze and staff reductions, hindered oversight of billions of dollars in aid, risking misallocation to potentially harmful entities. The firing of Martin is part of a broader pattern, with Trump having removed approximately 20 inspectors general across various government agencies, raising concerns among lawmakers about potential violations of statutory removal procedures. Critics, including labor unions, argue that these actions by the Trump administration have disrupted USAID's operations, leading to a lawsuit and a federal judge blocking some staff reductions. The White House has not provided a specific rationale for Martin's dismissal, prompting criticism and demands for transparency from Congress.