• By Al Mayadeen English
• Source: News websites
• 16 Feb 2025

In a viral video, US Congressman Scott Perry accuses USAID of funneling $697 million annually to terrorist groups like ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and Boko Haram.

During a recent House hearing, US Congressman Scott Perry leveled serious accusations against the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), stating the agency had inadvertently funded terrorist organizations, including ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and Boko Haram. His statements reignited debates over USAID’s operations and financial oversight.

Perry, a Republican representing Pennsylvania, voiced his concerns at the inaugural meeting of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency (DOGE), a body established by former President Donald Trump and chaired by billionaire Elon Musk. Amid the controversy, USAID has reportedly halted its global operations.

In a viral one-minute video, Perry declared, “Your money, $697 million annually, plus shipments of cash, funds ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, ISIS Khorasan, and terrorist training camps.”

He also condemned USAID’s allocation of $136 million for constructing 120 schools in Pakistan, asserting that there is “zero evidence” the schools were ever built. 

The recent development comes after a broader campaign by Musk, who is spearheading Trump’s government cost-cutting initiative, aimed at reducing federal spending and eliminating programs deemed unnecessary. During a discussion on X, alongside former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and Republican Senators Joni Ernst and Mike Lee, Musk emphasized that dismantling USAID was a priority under Trump’s agenda.

The controversy has intensified debates over US foreign aid and funding terrorism, with Perry’s remarks sparking fresh questions about accountability.