Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) is backing President Donald Trump in his effort to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development.
In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, obtained by the Washington Examiner, Ernst outlined problems with the agency that she discovered in previous investigations. In addition to waste, corruption, and inefficiency, she also alleged a “demonstrated pattern of obstructionism” in its dealings with the Senate.
“In response to my concerns, USAID has acted in an unacceptably deceptive and egregious manner. The agency’s attempts to thwart congressional oversight amount to exactly the type of gaslighting that the American people despise most and see so frequently from Washington,” Ernst said.
“When approached with reasonable questions, bureaucrats and political appointees stated first that there was nothing to be concerned about. Subsequently, they took every measure possible to resist scrutiny or oversight while they pumped millions in American taxpayer dollars around the globe. One might assume they have something to hide,” she continued.
The USAID website said the organization distributes funds worldwide to assist those “recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty, and engaging in democratic reforms.” Ernst reflected Trump’s rhetoric when she denounced the agency as overseeing “decades of unchecked, outlandish expenditures.”
The Iowa senator went into detail regarding some of the excesses of USAID in an X thread, including a reported $2 million for pottery classes in Morocco, an undisclosed sum for Ukrainian models to attend fashion shows abroad, $2 million for tourism in Lebanon, $20 million for a Sesame Street in Iraq, and $9 million in humanitarian assistance for Syria that ended up in the hands of terrorists.
In her letter to Rubio, Ernst alleged that Chemonics, a consultancy funded by USAID based in Washington, D.C., is “alleged to have collaborated with a terrorist group and avowed enemy of the United States, bribing the Taliban while carrying out USAID designated programs in Afghanistan.”
“As I’ve said before, sunshine is the very best disinfectant— now is the time to get to the bottom of USAID’s shady practices once and for all. I strongly support your efforts to overhaul this rogue federal agency and stand by ready to assist,” Ernst concluded.
The gutting of USAID was one of the most drastic moves of Trump’s first month in office, drawing outrage from Democrats and praise from many Republicans.
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On Tuesday, Trump announced that he ordered nearly all USAID staffers off their jobs. International missions and operations have been halted, while all international staff will be recalled by Friday.
Rubio has attempted to quell concerns that USAID could shut down immediately, saying the State Department and other entities would work with Congress and the other committees “to reorganize and absorb certain bureaus, offices, and missions of USAID.”