One of the most alarming examples of government waste has come to light, exposing how the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) unknowingly funded the education of a future terrorist.
Documents reveal that taxpayer money paid for college tuition for Anwar al-Awlaki, an American-born jihadist who later became a key figure in al Qaeda.
Government Records Reveal Troubling Details
Fox News obtained documents showing that USAID financed al-Awlaki’s tuition at Colorado State University long before he was killed in a drone strike.
A 1990 file confirms that the agency granted him an exchange visa and full funding, believing he was a Yemeni national.
However, al-Awlaki was actually born in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and held U.S. citizenship.
The visa approval was based on fraudulent information, as al-Awlaki falsely claimed to be from Yemen.
This deception qualified him for a J-1 scholarship, a program intended for international students seeking short-term study in the U.S.
Legal Action That Went Nowhere
When authorities uncovered the fraud, they issued an arrest warrant for al-Awlaki in 2002.
However, the charges were later dropped, according to research by the National Security Archive at George Washington University.
Despite this, al-Awlaki’s history and associations with known terrorists continued to raise red flags.
USAID Under Fire for Reckless Spending
This revelation comes at a time when USAID is under heavy scrutiny for its financial practices.
President Trump, backed by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been pushing to dismantle the agency due to allegations of wasteful spending.
Musk recently called USAID a “criminal organization,” and Trump labeled it “run by radical lunatics.”
Al-Awlaki’s Path to Extremism
After completing his degree in civil engineering at Colorado State University in 1994, al-Awlaki became a Muslim cleric in the U.S., preaching in cities like Denver, San Diego, and Falls Church, Virginia.
In San Diego, he reportedly met two of the 9/11 hijackers, further cementing his ties to terrorism.
Publicly, he denounced Western culture, claiming that American television spread immorality and that AIDS was a divine punishment.
Privately, however, he led a double life, frequently hiring prostitutes.
The FBI eventually investigated him, interviewing escort service workers about his behavior.
From Cleric to Terrorist Leader
As pressure mounted, al-Awlaki fled the U.S. and spent time in the UK before relocating to Yemen, where he fully embraced extremism.
He became al Qaeda’s chief propaganda officer and a major advocate for violent jihad.
By 2009, his influence was linked to the Fort Hood shooting and the failed Christmas Day bombing of a U.S.-bound flight.
The Obama administration classified him as a top terrorist threat, leading to his targeted killing.
On September 30, 2011, a U.S. drone strike eliminated al-Awlaki, marking a significant moment in the fight against al Qaeda.
The Fallout for USAID
Following these revelations, USAID has faced growing calls for reform—or outright dissolution.
President Trump ordered a freeze on most foreign aid upon taking office and has proposed merging USAID with the State Department.
Critics point to a long list of questionable expenditures, including:
- Millions allocated to a COVID lab in China
- $38 million for HIV research in transgender populations
- $2.5 million for electric vehicles in Vietnam
- Funding for Peruvian trans-themed comic books
Government Shake-Up and Employee Backlash
The push to shut down USAID has led to major staffing changes.
Last week, dozens of employees were placed on leave, and hundreds of contractors lost their jobs.
Senator Marco Rubio, now serving as the agency’s interim leader, criticized its lack of transparency and announced plans for a full reorganization.
USAID’s official website has also been shut down, leaving visitors with an error message.
Meanwhile, a federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from placing 2,200 employees on leave, delaying further action until at least mid-February.
What’s Next?
As protests erupt over the agency’s potential closure, Trump remains firm in his stance.
In a recent interview, he emphasized the need to eliminate fraud, waste, and inefficiency in government programs.
With the fate of USAID hanging in the balance, the coming weeks will determine whether the agency survives or becomes another casualty in the war on excessive spending.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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