Staff Reports
Former USAID official Max Primorac brought to light the shocking revelation that during the Biden administration, the vetting procedures put in place to prevent U.S. money from flowing into the hands of terrorists were hastily discarded. Primorac, who previously served as the acting chief operating officer for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), testified before Congress that this cavalier approach led to large quantities of American taxpayer dollars ending up funding terrorism across the Middle East.
He openly criticized the Biden administration for neglecting the strong vetting policies established under President Trump, which aimed to ensure that humanitarian assistance did not inadvertently benefit terrorist groups. Primorac asserted that significant amounts of U.S. funds have been misappropriated to support terrorists operating in Gaza, Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan. His comments raised alarms about the integrity of foreign aid and the potential complicity of some NGOs, which have faced fines for violating anti-terrorism financing laws.
The Middle East Forum has been meticulously tracking these dubious payments for some time, and the evidence presented at the congressional hearing is alarming. For instance, grants from USAID have flowed to organizations linked to terrorist activities, such as the Islamic Relief Agency, which has ties to al-Qaeda, despite whistleblower warnings. Additionally, groups with known connections to the 2008 Mumbai massacre have also benefitted financially from U.S. aid. The term “epic fail” doesn’t even begin to cover the gravity of this situation.
Even more disturbing is the revelation that taxpayer money has been funneled to entities like Jammal Trust Bank in Lebanon, identified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury as a supporter of Hezbollah. The funds have also supported Gazan charities whose representatives have made outright calls for violence against Jewish people, highlighting a shocking level of negligence or perhaps deliberate indifference within USAID.
Ex-USAID Official: Cash Went to Terrorists After Biden Dumped Strict Vetting Procedureshttps://t.co/M5d6KUpMUp
— PJ Media (@PJMedia_com) February 27, 2025
Both Primorac and Middle East Forum Executive Director Greg Roman urged Congress to investigate these transactions thoroughly. They believe that federal officials who approved these questionable grants should face criminal charges under anti-terrorism financing laws. Roman emphasized that the national security implications are dire, calling for swift Congressional action to compel the Department of Justice to hold accountable anyone involved in this scandal.
While the overall USAID budget is indeed massive, much of it goes to critical humanitarian efforts. However, the reality is clear: the current foreign aid system is rife with inefficiencies and misallocations. Calls for reform are not just necessary; they are overdue. Lawmakers, including Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, highlighted the absurdity of U.S. taxpayer dollars being spent on Ukrainian carpet companies and a slew of other imprudent projects. The American public deserves an aid system that prioritizes its interests and ensures that funds are not inadvertently assisting those who threaten national and global security.
