U.S. Representative Scott Perry has accused the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) of financing terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram.
During a session of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, Perry, a Republican from Pennsylvania, asserted that USAID’s financial support was being misused. According to a report by PUNCH, he claimed that substantial funds were being directed toward extremist groups.
“Who benefits from this funding? Does that name sound familiar to anyone here? Your tax dollars—$697 million per year—along with direct cash shipments, are going to places like Madrasas, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, and ISIS Khorasan. These funds are supporting terrorist training camps,” Perry stated.
Additionally, Perry highlighted concerns about USAID’s allocation of $136 million toward constructing 120 schools in Pakistan, alleging that there is no verifiable proof that these institutions were ever built.
“Over the past two decades, USAID has invested $840 million in Pakistan’s education sector, including $136 million meant for 120 schools. Yet, there is no evidence of their existence. Why? Because the Inspector General is unable to inspect them,” he claimed.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has previously called for USAID’s dissolution, citing corruption concerns on his Truth Social platform. Entrepreneur Elon Musk, whom Trump appointed to oversee the Department of Government Efficiency, has also criticized USAID, alleging that the agency is involved in questionable activities.
Musk went further, describing USAID as a hub for radical left-wing individuals and vowing to shut it down. He also suggested that the agency had engaged in covert intelligence operations and even played a role in funding controversial research, including work related to COVID-19.
Trump emphasized that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) aims to reform federal agencies by cutting bureaucratic waste, eliminating unnecessary regulations, and restructuring government spending. He asserted that these changes were a crucial part of his “Save America” initiative and would significantly impact longstanding government operations.