Summary
Paul Martin, USAID’s inspector general since 2023, was fired a day after releasing a report criticizing the Trump administration’s downsizing of the agency.
The report (archive link) warned that staffing gaps could lead to inadvertent funding of terrorist-linked entities and put $489 million in food aid at risk.
Martin was informed of his immediate dismissal via email. He later sent a farewell message to his staff.
The White House has not commented on the firing.
Speaking the truth and being fired for it is a good way to leave; it beats having to work against your conscience or quit with a whimper.