The Washington Post and CNN reported that the termination occurred a day after Martin’s office released a critical report on the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the agency.
A two-sentence email from the White House, sent on Tuesday, informed Martin of his immediate termination without providing a reason.
Martin’s report warned that over $489 million in food assistance was at risk due to an aid freeze and stop-work order implemented by the Trump administration. The report highlighted significant challenges and offered recommendations to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.
Staffing reductions across the Agency and uncertainty about the scope of foreign assistance waivers had weakened USAID's ability to distribute and safeguard taxpayer-funded humanitarian assistance.
LBROADCAST notes that Trump had already dismissed 18 inspectors general, but Martin, who was appointed by Trump’s predecessor Joe Biden, had remained in his position.
Trump, who began his second term last month, has started a campaign, led by his top donor Elon Musk, to reduce or dismantle parts of the US government.
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