A USAID Whistleblower Steps Forward

Mark Moyar, a whistleblower from USAID and author of Masters of Corruption, appeared on Fox News with host Jesse Watters this week, exposing what he described as shocking misuse of taxpayer funds by the agency. Moyar recounted his experience being sent to what he called a "DEI camp," where instead of receiving training to combat corruption—his actual job—he was subjected to a "privilege walk" exercise.

The training took an even stranger turn when participants, including Moyar, were assigned fictional identities to discuss their perceived privileges. Moyar was given the identity of a Scandinavian woman, while others were assigned roles like male prostitutes, prompting discussions about discrimination. Moyar also revealed that many of these diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs were often disguised as other initiatives, such as counterterrorism training. He cited the example of a feminist book club established during the Obama administration, which was funded under the pretense of a counterterrorism program.

Moyar isn’t alone in criticizing USAID’s questionable spending. Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst has also called out the agency, compiling a list of projects she deems wasteful. In a post on X, Ernst wrote, “From funneling tax dollars to risky research in Wuhan to sending Ukrainians to Paris Fashion Week, USAID is one of the worst offenders of waste in Washington… all around the world.”

One particularly eyebrow-raising item on Ernst’s list was a $20 million project to create an Iraqi version of Sesame Street, aimed at promoting tolerance. The funds were allocated to a nonprofit called Sesame Workshop to produce a program titled Ahlan Simsim Iraq. According to USAID’s website, the initiative was intended to help Iraqi children recover from the trauma of conflict and displacement, particularly those from ethnic and religious minorities. However, critics argue that such projects are a misuse of taxpayer dollars.

Another example of USAID’s mismanagement involved efforts in Afghanistan, where the agency spent millions to encourage farmers to grow crops instead of opium poppies. Despite the investment, poppy cultivation nearly doubled during the war, according to the United Nations. “During the height of the war in Afghanistan, USAID spent millions of dollars to help Afghans grow crops instead of opium,” Ernst posted. “The results: opium poppy cultivation across the country nearly doubled.”

These revelations have sparked renewed scrutiny of USAID’s spending practices, with critics arguing that the agency’s priorities often stray far from its stated mission of promoting global development and stability.