By Bosun Obafemi
U.S. Congressman Scott Perry has alleged that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) indirectly funded terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram, through foreign aid programs.
Perry, a Republican lawmaker representing Pennsylvania, made the claims on Thursday during the inaugural hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency. The hearing, titled “The War on Waste: Stamping Out the Scourge of Improper Payments and Fraud,” examined alleged misuse of U.S. taxpayer funds in government programs.
During his remarks, Perry questioned the allocation of hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign aid, alleging that some funds were diverted to extremist groups.
“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,” Perry said.
The congressman also raised concerns about USAID-funded projects in Pakistan, citing a reported $136 million expenditure to construct 120 schools. According to Perry, there is no evidence that the schools were ever built.
He further criticized educational and women’s empowerment programs in Afghanistan, including the Women’s Scholarship Endowment and Young Women Lead initiatives, which collectively receive tens of millions of dollars annually. Perry argued that restrictions imposed by the Taliban on women undermine claims that the programs are benefiting Afghan women.
“You are funding terrorism, and it’s coming through USAID,” Perry said. “This has got to end.”
According to the subcommittee’s website, the panel will work with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to identify wasteful spending, strengthen payment systems, and investigate fraud involving taxpayer funds.
The allegations come amid renewed scrutiny of USAID by U.S. President Donald Trump and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. Trump has previously called for the agency’s closure, accusing it of corruption, while Musk has described USAID as a “viper’s nest of radical-left Marxists” and alleged that it engages in unauthorized intelligence-related activities.
Musk, who was appointed by Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, has also accused the agency of funding controversial research programs and operating outside its intended mandate.
The criticism forms part of a broader effort by the Trump administration and its allies to reduce the size of the federal government, cut spending, and restructure government agencies.
USAID has not publicly responded to Perry’s allegations. No evidence was presented during the hearing directly linking the agency to the financing of terrorist organizations.
