US President Donald Trump has dismissed the inspector general of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Paul Martin.
The decision was communicated through an email from the White House, stating that his position was terminated immediately.
The dismissal happened a day after Martin’s office released a report criticizing the Trump administration’s handling of USAID operations.
The report warned that over $489 million in food aid was at risk due to an aid freeze and staffing cuts.
It also pointed out ongoing challenges in preventing fraud and mismanagement within the agency.
Since taking office for his second term, Trump has taken steps to reduce or shut down parts of the federal government. USAID, responsible for humanitarian aid in about 120 countries, has been a major focus.
The administration has cut its workforce and ordered many employees to return to the US.
Labour unions are opposing the cuts, and a federal judge recently paused a plan to place thousands of USAID workers on paid leave.
Critics argued that shutting down agencies without legislative approval could be unconstitutional.
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