Trump fires USAID’s inspector general after his office released a report critical of the administration

The inspector general at the U.S. Agency for International Development was fired Tuesday, a day after his office released a report detailing the negative impact of the Trump administration’s dramatic downsizing of the agency, according to a letter obtained by NBC News.

Paul Martin, who had served as inspector general for USAID since 2023, was notified of his dismissal via email.

“On behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as Inspector General of the United States Agency for International Development is terminated, effective immediately,” Trent Morse Deputy Director Office of Presidential Personnel informed Martin in an email obtained by NBC News. “Thank you for your service.”

CNN first reported on Martin’s firing.

The report by USAID’s Office of the Inspector General, led by Martin, warned of the dangers associated with the gap in staffing, including a lack of oversight that may leave the agency “susceptible to inadvertently funding entities or salaries of individuals associated with U.S.-designated terrorist organizations.”

It also described the uncertainty surrounding the waivers for life saving assistance issued by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that it said put “more than $489 million of food assistance at ports, in transit, and in warehouses at risk of spoilage, unanticipated storage needs, and diversion.”

Martin informed his staff of his removal shortly after receiving the termination notice.

“It has been a true honor and pleasure to walk alongside my OIG colleagues around the world as we sought to provide independent and aggressive oversight of USAID programs and personnel,” Martin wrote in the email. “Take care of yourselves and take care of each other. And, as always, thank you for what you do and how you do it.”

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday night on Martin’s dismissal.