President Donald Trump's administration has fired yet another independent watchdog — this time immediately after that watchdog reported on the fallout of Trump's push to dismantle the U.S. Agency for Internal Development, or USAID.
According to John Hudson of The Washington Post, "Paul K. Martin, appointed by President Joe Biden in December 2023, was informed of his dismissal through an email from Trent Morse, deputy director of the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, according to a copy of the note viewed by The Washington Post. Two people with knowledge of the event confirmed that he was fired."
Martin continued working despite the broader suspension of USAID activity that put most of its staff on paid leave.
Martin's dismissal follows a "widely read report warning that more than $489 million in food assistance was at risk of spoilage or potential diversion after the Trump administration implemented its aid freeze and stop-work order." 30,000 tons of food aid is stuck at the Port of Houston alone.
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The report in question "detailed that even though Trump’s pause in foreign assistance provided a waiver for emergency food assistance, shipments of in-kind assistance were delayed around the world because USAID-funded implementers faced conflicting instructions, and USAID staffers were unable to provide clear instructions because of communication restrictions."
The elimination of USAID's watchdog is far from the first. Trump caused outrage at the end of last month by firing 17 inspectors general overseeing a variety of federal agencies, which was likely against the law according to experts.
Trump also fired David Huitema, who was confirmed in December to lead the Office of Government Ethics.