Afghanistan Times
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Washington, D.C. – The Trump administration has dismissed Paul Martin, the Inspector General of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), following his criticism of efforts to scale back the agency’s operations.
A USAID official confirmed the decision, which was made public on Tuesday, February 11. Martin, who had held the position since December 2023, was informed of his dismissal via an email from Trent Morrow, Deputy Director of the Office of Presidential Personnel.
The Inspector General role, requiring Senate confirmation, is key in overseeing USAID’s accountability and operations. Martin’s firing is widely seen as an attempt to silence criticism of the administration’s foreign aid policies, particularly its efforts to reduce funding for international development programs.
USAID, one of the largest U.S. agencies providing aid to developing nations, has played a significant role in Afghanistan, allocating an average of $430 million annually for development projects. Over the past 24 years, it has provided more than $109 billion in aid to Afghanistan alone, supporting infrastructure, healthcare, and education initiatives.
Martin’s removal raises concerns over transparency and oversight in U.S. foreign aid, as debates continue over the future of American assistance to vulnerable nations.
