U.S. President Donald Trump has dismissed Paul Martin, the independent inspector general of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), just a day after his office released a report critical of the administration’s handling of aid distribution.
Multiple U.S. media outlets, including The Washington Post and CNN, reported on Wednesday, February 12, that Martin received an email from the White House on Tuesday, February 11, informing him that his position had been “terminated, effective immediately.” No reason was given for his removal.
Martin’s office had recently issued a report highlighting concerns about USAID’s operations, 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.
Outside report also pointed out that staffing reductions and uncertainty over foreign aid waivers had “degraded USAID’s ability to distribute and safeguard taxpayer-funded humanitarian assistance.”
Trump has previously dismissed 18 inspectors general, who serve as independent watchdogs for federal agencies. However, Martin—appointed by Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden—had remained in office until now.
The dismissal comes as Trump continues efforts to restructure or downsize various government agencies. USAID, which manages a $42.8 billion budget and operates in approximately 120 countries, has been a key target.
The administration has frozen foreign aid, ordered the withdrawal of thousands of USAID staff from overseas, and initiated a workforce reduction plan, aiming to cut the agency’s personnel from 10,000 to just 300 employees.
Legal challenges have emerged over these actions. Labor unions have contested the legality of the job cuts, and a federal judge recently issued a temporary halt to the administration’s plan to place 2,200 USAID workers on paid leave.
Meanwhile, congressional Democrats argue that Trump cannot dismantle government agencies without legislative approval, raising constitutional questions about his authority.