US President Donald Trump has dismissed Paul Martin, the independent inspector general for the US Agency for International Development (USAID), a day after his office released a report critical of the administration’s handling of the agency.
The Washington Post, CNN, and other US media outlets reported on Wednesday, February 12, that Martin was informed of his removal via a brief email from the White House on Tuesday, February 11. The email stated that his position was “terminated, effective immediately,” but provided no explanation for the decision.
Martin’s office had recently issued a report warning that more than $489 million in food assistance was at risk of spoilage or misallocation due to an aid freeze and stop-work order implemented by the Trump administration. The report highlighted longstanding concerns about USAID’s operations, stating that staffing reductions and uncertainty over foreign aid waivers had “degraded USAID’s ability to distribute and safeguard taxpayer-funded humanitarian assistance.”
Trump had already dismissed 18 inspectors general, who serve as independent watchdogs for the federal government, but Martin—appointed by Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden—had remained in his position until now.
The president, who began his second term last month, has launched an aggressive effort to downsize or dismantle various government agencies, a campaign led by his top donor, billionaire Elon Musk.
USAID, which administers US humanitarian aid globally, has been a primary target. The agency manages a $42.8 billion budget and operates in approximately 120 countries, serving as a key tool of US soft power in geopolitical competition with countries like China.
The Trump administration has frozen foreign aid, ordered thousands of USAID staff abroad to return to the US, and begun reducing its workforce from 10,000 employees to approximately 300.
Labor unions are contesting the legality of these measures, and a federal judge recently ordered a temporary halt to the administration’s plan to place 2,200 USAID workers on paid leave.
Democrats argue that Trump cannot shut down government agencies without legislative approval, raising questions over the constitutionality of his actions.
