The Trump administration is considering criminal charges against USAID staffers and grant recipients after a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) investigation uncovered alleged fraud and misuse of taxpayer funds. During a closed-door House Foreign Affairs Committee briefing, USAID Deputy Administrator-Designate Pete Marocco detailed severe waste and abuse within the agency. Rep. Keith Self (R-TX) indicated that criminal referrals to the DOJ are possible if fraud is confirmed, stressing the need for a solid paper trail. Both Republican and Democratic committee members acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations, with multiple DOJ referrals under consideration. Critics argue USAID’s decentralized system has enabled financial mismanagement
