MEF Executive Director Gregg Roman Testifies before House DOGE Committee on USAID Terror Finance скачать в хорошем качестве

MEF Executive Director Gregg Roman Testifies before House DOGE Committee on USAID Terror Finance

WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 25, 2025 – In Congressional testimony on February 26, 2025, Gregg Roman, executive director of the Middle East Forum (MEF), spotlights how over $122 million in approved grants, which ended up supporting radical and terror-tied organizations, were funneled through USAID’s foreign aid program. This includes entities linked to Hamas, Hezbollah, and Al-Qaeda affiliates. “There’s a fox loose in the henhouse of our foreign aid system,” Roman warns. Invited by Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform’s Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency (DOGE), Roman’s testimony argues for a pause in new foreign aid obligations, giving the Trump administration “the space to audit this chaos, root out the rot, and build a fence that keeps the fox out.” Roman details how the U.S. aid system has effectively underwritten organizations that are hostile to American interests and alliances, thus exacerbating violence in conflict zones and risking harm to U.S. national security. His findings come from research led by Samuel Westrop, director of MEF’s Islamist Watch program, and other MEF investigations. “We’re not just talking about waste, fraud, and abuse—this is a national security problem,” Roman said. Among the most concerning examples: World Vision & Islamic Relief Agency (ISRA): A 2014 sub-grant of $125,000 from World Vision to ISRA—an entity linked to Osama bin Laden’s precursor to Al-Qaeda—moved forward “even after a whistleblower raised red flags” and despite urgent warnings. Helping Hand for Relief and Development: Received a $70,000-plus USAID grant even after an Inspector General investigation into its ties to the terrorist behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Jammal Trust Bank (Lebanon): Funds were funneled to this institution, later designated for financing Hezbollah. Bayader & Unlimited Friends Association (UFA): Bayader has ties to senior Hamas figures allegedly involved in the October 7 attacks against Israel, while UFA’s director explicitly called for violent “cleansing” against Jews. Opaque “Miscellaneous” Funding: Billions of dollars fall under “miscellaneous foreign awardees,” making it nearly impossible for Congress or the public to track final recipients—some of whom have included Al-Qaeda affiliates in Syria. Roman’s testimony places strong emphasis on criminal accountability and demands a formal referral to the Department of Justice. Roman also notes that American charities acting as primary grantees and knowingly channeling funds to extremists should be held legally accountable. Roman proposes several urgent steps to halt further damage: 1. Immediate Pause and Audit Suspend new obligations until a thorough, independent scrub of grantees and sub-grantees can be conducted, especially in high-risk regions. 2. Stronger Vetting & Full Transparency Implement real-time tracking technologies, end “miscellaneous” classifications, and mandate public disclosure of all partners and sub-grantees. 3. Legislative Action with Teeth Urge Congress to pass laws mandating stricter penalties and criminal referrals for funding extremists. Require robust screening measures and immediate clawback provisions. 4. Preserve & Follow the Inspector General’s Lead Ensure the State Department, under Secretary Rubio’s review, fully adopts any IG recommendations. 5. Criminal Referral Make a formal request for the Department of Justice to investigate whether USAID officials and partnering NGOs knowingly facilitated material support to terrorist entities.