U.S. Congressman Scott Perry has accused the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) of financing terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram.
During the first hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency on February 14, Perry, a Republican from Pennsylvania, claimed that taxpayer dollars were being misappropriated to support extremist groups.
He highlighted that approximately $697 million annually, along with cash shipments to various entities, was allegedly funding organizations such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda.
Perry also criticized USAID's reported investment of $136 million in constructing 120 schools in Pakistan, asserting that there is "zero evidence" of their existence.
He pointed out that over the past two decades, USAID has allocated $840 million to education in Pakistan, yet the lack of verification raises concerns.
Also , he questioned the effectiveness of USAID's initiatives for women's education in Afghanistan, citing the Taliban's restrictions on women's rights and suggesting that programs like the Women’s Scholarship Endowment and Young Women Lead are unlikely to benefit the intended recipients.
"You are financing terrorism through USAID, and this issue extends beyond Afghanistan, especially with Pakistan nearby, " he said
Former President Donald Trump has previously advocated for the termination of USAID, alleging corruption within the agency.
On his Truth Social platform, he said that USAID is part of a broader initiative aimed at eliminating government waste and inefficiency.
Elon Musk, whom Trump appointed to oversee the newly established Department of Government Efficiency, has also voiced concerns about USAID, claiming it conducts unauthorized operations.
Musk labeled the agency as a “viper’s nest of radical-left Marxists who despise America” and pledged to dismantle it.
He further alleged that USAID has been involved in “rogue CIA activities” and has even financed bioweapon research, including COVID-19, which he claims resulted in millions of deaths.
Trump reiterated that his administration's mission was to “eliminate government bureaucracy, reduce excessive regulations, cut unnecessary spending, and reorganize federal agencies — all crucial to the ‘Save America’ initiative.” and programs .