In a controversial statement, US Congressman Scott Perry accused the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) of funding terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram, during the inaugural hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency last Thursday. The remarks, which have ignited a storm of debate, were made during a session titled “The War on Waste: Stamping Out the Scourge of Improper Payments and Fraud.”
Perry, a Republican representing Pennsylvania, used the hearing to claim that taxpayer money has been misused by USAID, citing a range of allegations including the funding of terrorist training camps, organisations such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and the Nigerian extremist group Boko Haram. Perry’s words have caught the attention of both critics and supporters, as the congressman pushed for transparency and a full investigation into alleged misappropriations of US taxpayer funds.
During the hearing, Perry made a direct accusation, stating that USAID was responsible for directing $697 million annually, which he claimed was used to fund terrorist training camps and Madrasas” (Islamic schools), as well as groups like ISIS Khorasan and Boko Haram.
He said, “Who gets some of that money? Does that name ring a bell to anybody in the room? Because your money, your money, $697 million annually, plus the shipments of cash funds in Madrasas, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, ISIS Khorasan, terrorist training camps. That’s what it’s funding.”
These assertions, if true, would be a significant scandal, given the immense impact that these groups have had on global security, particularly in Nigeria and other parts of Africa, where Boko Haram and its affiliates have caused widespread death and destruction over the years.
The Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, which Perry is a member of, was created to investigate government waste, inefficiency, and corruption. The session in question focused on alleged fraud and improper payments involving taxpayer funds. Perry argued that while the US government allocates large sums for foreign aid and development, a significant portion of that money may end up benefiting the wrong people or organisations, rather than the intended recipients.
He further cited USAID’s reported funding of $136 million to build 120 schools in Pakistan, claiming there was “zero evidence” of the schools being constructed. Perry’s criticism was based on what he described as a lack of accountability, stating that US taxpayers are being misled into thinking their money is going towards education and humanitarian efforts, while it might, in reality, be wasted or misappropriated.
“If you think that the programme under Operation Enduring Sentinel entitled Women’s Scholarship Endowment, which receives $60 million annually, or the Young Women Lead, which gets about $5 million annually, is going to women who, by the way, if you read the Inspector General’s report, is telling you that the Taliban does not allow women to speak in public, yet somehow you’re believing, and American people are supposed to believe, that this money is going for the betterment of the women in Afghanistan. It is not,” Perry said.
Perry’s remarks echo long-standing concerns among critics of foreign aid programmes who argue that such funds often do not reach the intended beneficiaries or are diverted to corrupt channels.
USAID, which has been at the forefront of US foreign aid efforts for decades, has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years. The agency’s mission is to promote development, improve living standards, and address humanitarian crises in many parts of the world. In countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan, where USAID has invested heavily in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, its efforts are often hailed as vital for stabilising these regions.
However, critics such as Perry have raised alarms over the agency’s transparency and oversight, questioning whether some of these funds may end up financing operations that are counterproductive to US foreign policy goals. In his statements, Perry alleged that the funds meant for development could inadvertently contribute to violence and extremism.
Perry’s accusations come at a time when US President Donald Trump and his ally Elon Musk have made headlines for their stance against USAID. Trump has previously criticised the agency, calling it corrupt and inefficient. Musk, whom Trump appointed to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has also been vocal about his opposition to USAID, labelling it as a “viper’s nest of radical-left Marxists.”
Musk has gone as far as claiming that USAID engages in “rogue operations,” such as conducting “CIA work” and even allegedly funding bioweapon research related to COVID-19. These statements have only added fuel to the ongoing debate about the effectiveness and integrity of US foreign aid programmes.
Trump’s agenda, particularly during his time in office, was to shrink the government and cut down on what he viewed as wasteful spending. His push to dismantle government agencies like USAID is part of a broader effort to reduce bureaucracy and government expenditures, which he and Musk claim are wasted on inefficiency and corruption.
USAID has spent billions of dollars in countries across the globe, with a particular focus on regions experiencing conflict or underdevelopment, including Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
Critics argue that, while these efforts have helped alleviate some suffering, they have not always resulted in positive long-term outcomes. Countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan, where USAID funds have been channelled into various projects, have remained unstable, with significant portions of the population still suffering from poverty and violence.
The issue of misappropriation of foreign aid funds has come to the forefront amid reports of corruption, mismanagement, and lack of accountability in some recipient countries. Some argue that USAID has failed to ensure that its funds are used effectively, and that corruption within the agency itself has compounded the problem.
The growing calls for greater transparency and accountability in US foreign aid programmes have intensified following Perry’s comments. He and others are urging the US government to take a closer look at how taxpayer money is spent, particularly in countries where terrorist organisations like Boko Haram continue to operate.
Perry concluded his remarks by stating, “Somebody else got the money. You are paying for terrorism. This has got to end.”
