House Committee Eyes Criminal Referrals Amidst Scrutiny of USAID Funding
A House Oversight subcommittee, led by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, is seriously considering recommending investigations and potential criminal referrals related to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The decision stems from a recent hearing where witnesses presented concerning testimonies regarding the agency’s financial practices, oversight, and alleged misuse of taxpayer dollars.
During the hearing, Representative Greene raised several critical questions about USAID’s operations. She specifically focused on a past incident involving then-Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, who served on the board of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma. Greene reiterated the allegation that Biden threatened to withhold $1 billion in USAID funds from Ukraine unless the prosecutor general, Viktor Shokin, who was investigating Burisma for corruption, was removed from his position.
Greene directly challenged a witness, Max Primorac, a former USAID official and Heritage Foundation senior research fellow, asking whether USAID should be used as leverage to protect a president’s family member. Primorac responded emphatically, stating that such actions would constitute corruption. Greene further inquired about the percentage of USAID funding that is allocated to ineffective or detrimental initiatives.
Primorac cited findings from the House Foreign Affairs Committee, revealing that over 50% of USAID’s funding is spent on overhead charges. He also noted that the agency’s inspector general had criticized USAID for failing to adequately monitor these overhead costs, which amounted to $142 billion in disbursements.
Gregg Roman, Executive Director of the Middle East Forum, delivered a scathing opening statement, accusing USAID of funneling millions of taxpayer dollars to radical and terrorist-linked organizations. He passionately urged the committee to issue a formal criminal referral to the Department of Justice, holding USAID accountable for its alleged systemic failure to prevent funds from reaching such groups. Roman called for prosecution of government officials who endangered lives to support anti-American agendas.
While Representative Greene did not specify potential recipients of the criminal referrals, her comments made it clear that she viewed USAID’s practices with deep suspicion. She emphasized that the agency should not serve as a "party piggy bank" for Democrats to advance their political agenda in foreign countries. Greene pointed out that a significant majority of political contributions from USAID employees go to Democratic candidates or political action committees (PACs). She also expressed concern about the "revolving door" phenomenon, where USAID employees transition into roles at NGOs that receive USAID funding, suggesting that investigations were warranted into whether USAID funds were being funneled back into Democratic campaigns.
In her closing remarks, Representative Greene reiterated her intent to pursue criminal referrals if it was discovered that USAID funded terrorism that resulted in the death of Americans. She accused the agency of being used to manipulate global politics and force regime changes around the world.
The hearing was not without its detractors. Democratic members of the committee defended USAID, arguing that the Trump administration’s dismantling of the agency was detrimental to American interests. They claimed that such actions were reordering the global stage in favor of foreign adversaries and undermining global democracy.
The accusations against USAID are serious and multifaceted, ranging from alleged corruption and financial mismanagement to the funneling of funds to terrorist organizations. These allegations, if proven true, would have significant implications for the agency’s future and the effectiveness of American foreign aid. The committee’s decision to consider criminal referrals underscores the gravity of the situation and the potential for legal action.
The focus on Hunter Biden’s involvement with Burisma and the alleged quid pro quo involving USAID funds adds a layer of political complexity to the investigation. Accusations of corruption against high-ranking officials are politically charged and could further polarize the debate surrounding USAID’s role in foreign policy.
The emphasis on overhead costs and potential misuse of funds highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in government spending. The sheer scale of USAID’s budget, with billions of dollars disbursed annually, underscores the need for rigorous oversight to ensure that funds are being used effectively and in accordance with American interests.
The allegations of USAID funding reaching terrorist organizations raise serious national security concerns. If substantiated, these claims could lead to significant changes in how the agency vets recipients and monitors the use of its funds.
The ongoing investigation into USAID’s activities is likely to be a contentious and closely watched process. The potential for criminal referrals adds a significant dimension to the inquiry, raising the stakes for both the agency and those involved in its operations. The outcome of this investigation could have far-reaching consequences for the future of American foreign aid and the role of USAID in shaping global events.
