Trump Administration Weighs Criminal Charges Over USAID Misconduct Following DOGE Investigation
The Trump administration is considering criminal referrals against employees and grant recipients at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) following a sweeping investigation by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The probe has uncovered serious misconduct and potential fraud within U.S. foreign aid programs, raising concerns about how taxpayer dollars have been spent.
Bombshell Findings Could Lead to DOJ Action
On Wednesday, Pete Marocco, USAID’s deputy administrator-designate, provided a closed-door briefing to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where lawmakers received updates on the Trump administration’s review of USAID’s financial and operational practices.
According to Rep. Keith Self (R-TX), who attended the meeting, investigators are considering referring multiple USAID officials to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for possible prosecution.
“They intend to refer USAID officials to DOJ,” Self told the Daily Mail. “Fraud is a criminal act, and if investigators find outright fraud, there should absolutely be legal consequences.”
Self emphasized that any criminal charges would require substantial evidence, including a clear paper trail to document misconduct.
“You’re going to have to have a paper trail to prove that,” he noted. “And I doubt they would refer anyone without very strong evidence.”
Widespread Issues Within USAID
Another source present at the briefing confirmed the severity of the allegations.
“Marocco briefed both Democrats and Republicans on the waste, fraud, and abuse at USAID,” the source said.
“The problems are more severe than initially expected, and multiple criminal referrals are under consideration.”
One of the key issues, according to investigators, is USAID’s decentralized accountability system, which has allowed foreign aid grantees to spend American tax dollars in ways that may be both inappropriate and potentially illegal.
USAID Undergoing Major Overhaul
The Trump administration has already implemented major reforms at USAID, aimed at eliminating inefficiencies and cutting wasteful spending. Among the most notable actions:
Suspensions & Terminations: Several high-ranking officials, including USAID’s security director, have been placed on administrative leave.
Website Shutdown: USAID’s official website has been taken offline as part of the restructuring.
Program Reductions: Initiatives related to democracy-building and free speech have been scaled back or put on hold.
These changes follow revelations from DOGE, the investigative unit led by Elon Musk, which has pushed for stricter oversight of government spending.
Musk has been an outspoken critic of USAID, previously labeling it a “criminal organization” in need of urgent reform.
Supreme Court Ruling Complicates Trump’s Reform Efforts
In a 5-4 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court this week declined to overturn a lower court’s decision that unfroze federal aid contracts at USAID, effectively allowing billions in aid payments to resume.
The ruling came as a setback to President Trump, who had sought to keep these funds frozen while the foreign aid audit was still ongoing. The decision frustrated many conservatives, who view the foreign aid system as flawed and wasteful.
Justice Samuel Alito, in a strong dissent, criticized the ruling, arguing that it undermines the administration’s ability to hold government agencies accountable.
“This decision is stunning,” Alito wrote. “A federal court has many tools to address misconduct. Expanding its jurisdiction is not one of them.”
Legal analysts believe the ruling signals deep divisions within the Supreme Court on Trump-related cases and expect similar high-stakes legal battles in the coming months.
What Happens Next?
With criminal charges potentially looming and Trump’s USAID overhaul facing legal roadblocks, the battle over foreign aid accountability is far from over.
The Department of Justice is expected to review any criminal referrals, while lawmakers continue debating the future of U.S. foreign aid policies.
The investigation has already reshaped USAID’s operations—and it may soon have even bigger consequences for those involved in misuse of taxpayer funds.
