Washington — On Tuesday, President Trump dismissed the inspector general for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), just one day after a report was released detailing the consequences of the administration’s budget cuts to the agency, according to two sources who are familiar with the situation.
Paul Martin, the ousted inspector general, received no explanation for his firing in a brief two-sentence email from Trent Morse, the deputy director of the White House’s Office of Presidential Personnel. Martin was appointed by former President Joe Biden and had been leading the inspector general’s office since December 2023. UJ was the first to report his termination.
This dismissal followed the release of a report by his office highlighting the effects of the White House’s initiative to shut down USAID. The report indicated that the agency’s funding reductions had “degraded USAID’s ability to distribute and safeguard taxpayer-funded humanitarian assistance.” It was reported that nearly $500 million in food aid was at risk of spoiling while it remained in ports, ships, and warehouses due to the funding cuts.
As of now, no other employees from the USAID inspector general’s office have been sent on leave, although staff were informed on Tuesday that they had lost access to their office in the Ronald Reagan building. The General Services Administration indicated that USAID’s lease for the building was terminated over the weekend.
In a message to his colleagues, Martin stated that he was notified that his termination would take effect immediately, and that the assistant inspector general for investigations would serve as the acting inspector general.
“It has been a true honor and pleasure to work alongside my OIG colleagues around the world as we strived to provide independent and rigorous oversight of USAID programs and personnel. While I had hoped to continue this journey with all of you a bit longer, that will not be feasible,” Martin expressed in his email.
Shortly after his inauguration, Mr. Trump dismissed at least 17 other inspectors general without providing reasons. Democrats, along with some Republicans in Congress, such as Sen. Chuck Grassley, have urged the administration to offer an explanation, contending that federal law mandates a justification.
Mr. Trump also removed the director of the Office of Government Ethics, David Huitema, earlier this week.
