Republican Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst appeared Monday on Newsmax to say that members of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have obstructed and even threatened her efforts to oversee how it distributes money.
During an appearance on “The Record with Greta Van Susteren,” Ernst talked about her past problems with USAID and complained about a lack of transparency in how its funds are distributed. Funds, she said, often do not go toward their initially intended purposes. This alleged redirection of funds prompted Ernst to question USAID about its operational practices, a move she said was met with resistance and even threats.
“We do know that there are good programs that have existed out there that have benefited the stability of many regions around the world, which, in turn, benefits the United States of America. But unfortunately, we have seen those at the top again that have really tried to stop members of Congress from understanding how our taxpayer dollars are flowing through the agency,” Ernst said.
The senator said her concerns escalated to the point where she, alongside Republican Texas Rep. Mike McCaul, initiated a formal investigation into USAID’s activities.
“We know in the example of Ukraine — and this is what I was very focused on — is the humanitarian aid wasn’t getting distributed to humanitarian aid contractors. Instead, it was being sent to the United Nations, where we have absolutely no idea where that money is going from that point forward. So we tried to call the question on USAID, and, again, they threatened us, they stonewalled us, until I was able to join forces with Congressman Mike McCaul and announce a formal investigation of the agency,” Ernst said. “And then, even they slow walked providing any data to us.”
Ernst also discussed what she said were the geopolitical implications of neglecting foreign aid, specifically in regions like Africa.
“Scrutinizing the dollars that are flowing through that agency is very important, because, yes, I would rather see immunizations go to children in Africa. I would rather see us feeding impoverished nations. But we need to know that those dollars are doing it and not going to fund terrorist organizations, not going to support a gender ideology in certain regions. We have to know that it’s going for a specific goal that is approved by Congress and, unfortunately, USAID has abused this system,” Ernst said.
President Donald Trump and Department of Government Efficiency Chair Elon Musk initiated the dismantling of USAID, with plans to merge its functions into the State Department. Musk said in an early Monday X Spaces discussion that he and Trump decided to close USAID. The Trump administration directed the agency’s staff to telecommute, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stepping in as the acting director and criticizing the agency’s operations as akin to a “global charity.”
In response to this move to shut down USAID, Democratic lawmakers are contemplating using their minority status to obstruct Trump’s agenda. They said they plan to leverage their votes on government funding and delay confirmations for Trump’s nominees, as revealed in several press conferences on Monday.
“We are pursuing every action that we think we can do,” Democratic Washington Sen. Patty Murray said during a press conference Monday afternoon. “But I will tell you this: we are here to pull the fire alarm. We are pulling the fire alarm.”
Trump, during a news conference Monday in the Oval Office, said the USAID merger with the State Department should have been done a long time ago.
“[USAID] went crazy during the Biden administration,” Trump said. “They went totally crazy [with] what they were doing and the money they were giving to people that shouldn’t be getting [it].”
(Featured Image Media Credit: Screenshot/Newsmax)
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Look at Ernst play hero now. As for what she may have done in the past, I do not recall her making any noise on the subject. I see she did not offer a single compliment to Trump for his actions. After all of the problems she claims to have had with USAID, not a good word about Trump.
She was a Mitch RINO and anti-Trump back then, and still is now. Gee I wonder what happened with the “formal” investigation she and neocon McCaul “launched”. Let’s see a report, Joni.
The airhead is still for poisoning children in Africa and wasting our money in many ways.
Agree 100%! John McCain was her mentor tells everything about her politics, an anti-Trump RINO. Why she’s allowed anywhere near what Trump wants to accomplish [DOGE for instance] is troubling. She’s toxic.
Absolutely correct.
Her facelift did not go well.
Agree 100%! John McCain was her mentor tells everything about her politics, an anti-Trump RINO. Why she’s allowed anywhere near what Trump wants to accomplish [DOGE for instance] is troubling. She’s toxic.
I do not trust, Ernst, Massie or Roy.
Hope Kari Lake comes back to Iowa and takes Ernst’s seat. She would have my vote and backing.
Sorry, the US taxpayers shouldn’t be feeding starving people of other nations. We should defend other nations. We shouldn’t meddle in other people. Other people should be left alone. The US taxpayer isn’t an overseeing GOD. Other nations must feed their own or question the viability of their existence. Most groups become parasites demanding a free everything from their host (especially 40% of the US population that is drawing taxpayer money as entitlements – – – – for no labor in exchange). If China wants to step in and waste trillions of Yuan on foreign beggar people, let China go broke!! This isn’t a game of who can buy the most friends (I know women love this game). Did you ever stop to think perhaps other nations that are poor, it is because that is the highest level that those people can achieve, thus deserve? I also doubt there are people that are starving on this planet, rather, there are those that refuse to get their asses out of bed to do work. A nations right to exist comes from the strength and willingness to fight, not from the US taxpayer. If the men of any nation are too weak…get what they deserve.
That is “We SHOULDN’T defend other nations, be it money, weapons nor American blood”
We shouldn’t defend other nations, especially Israel. Patty Murray should be investigated for corruption.
USAID is the banker for the CIA, and the 40+ subagencies feeding off the tit. Republican Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst defending the billions of taxpayer money wasted on the Jib-Jabs to foreign nations. SHE IS MISINFORMED AS TO WHAT USAID IS. Defending the GOOD PROGRAMS out there……what a crock of shit. “I WAS DOGE BEFORE DOGE WAS DOGE.” What a selfserving moron. Eliminate it all including her pals at the CIA.