USAID Inspector General fired following critical report on Trump administration

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) inspector general was dismissed on Tuesday, just a day after his office released a report criticizing the Trump administration’s handling of the agency, according to CNN. 

Paul Martin, who had served as USAID's inspector general since Dec. 2023, was informed via email from the deputy director of the Office of Presidential Personnel that his tenure was “terminated, effective immediately.”

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Martin’s removal adds to a growing list of nearly 20 inspectors general whom President Donald Trump has ousted, despite concerns from lawmakers and oversight officials that his approach to dismissing watchdogs may violate statutory requirements.

Martin's dismissal followed the publication of a report by the USAID Office of Inspector General (OIG) on Monday, which highlighted the negative impact of the administration’s recent spending freeze on foreign aid and significant reductions in USAID staffing.

The report warned that these actions had impeded oversight efforts, making it more challenging to ensure that billions of US taxpayer dollars were being allocated and used appropriately.

Under federal law, the administration must provide Congress with 30 days' notice before removing an inspector general and must also supply specific reasons for the dismissal. It remains unclear whether these legal requirements were met in Martin’s case.

While President Trump previously dismissed inspectors general across more than a dozen federal agencies upon taking office, Martin had remained in his role until now. The USAID OIG’s report underscored concerns about accountability, stating that the administration’s policy decisions had made it more difficult to track and prevent potential misuse of USD 8.2 billion in US humanitarian aid funding.

The firing is expected to spark further scrutiny from congressional leaders and oversight advocates who have repeatedly warned against undermining independent government watchdogs.