President Donald Trump has removed Paul Martin, the inspector general for the US Agency for International Development (USAID). This decision was reported by US media on Wednesday.
Reports say Martin was fired just a day after his office released a report criticizing the Trump administration’s handling of USAID. The report warned that over $489 million in food aid could go bad or be misused due to the government’s freeze on foreign aid.
According to sources, Martin received an email from the White House on Tuesday stating that his job was “terminated, effective immediately.” No reason was given for the decision.
Trump has already fired 18 inspectors general, who are responsible for monitoring government agencies. Martin, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden, had remained in his role until now.
Trump, who started his second term last month, has been working to reduce or shut down several government agencies. His main focus has been on USAID, which provides humanitarian aid to about 120 countries and has a budget of $42.8 billion.
The Trump administration has stopped foreign aid, brought USAID staff back to the US, and cut the agency’s workforce from 10,000 employees to around 300. Labor unions are now challenging these moves, and a federal judge recently put a temporary halt to the administration’s plan to send 2,200 USAID workers on paid leave.
Democrats argue that Trump cannot close government agencies without approval from Congress.
