The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is set to cease operations on Friday, with most of its staff being furloughed as it is absorbed into the State Department.

The move follows an investigation led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which uncovered widespread corruption, fraud, and financial mismanagement within the agency.

As USAID’s operations come to an end, reports suggest that the agency may have played a significant role in the 2019 impeachment of President Donald Trump by financing and influencing media narratives that contributed to the effort.

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Investigations by independent journalists Michael Shellenberger and Alex Gutentag have revealed that USAID had direct connections to the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), a media organization cited multiple times by the CIA whistleblower who triggered the impeachment process.

The reports suggest that USAID held substantial influence over OCCRP, shaping its hiring practices and editorial direction.

According to reporting from Drop Site News, OCCRP was not operating as a traditional investigative journalism outlet but was instead functioning as an arm of USAID, directing its work toward political objectives rather than independent reporting.

OCCRP has denied these allegations and even threatened lawsuits against journalists investigating its connections to USAID.

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A 2024 documentary by German broadcaster NDR examined OCCRP’s financial dependence on U.S. government agencies, confirming that USAID approved OCCRP’s annual work plan and hiring decisions for key personnel.

The House of Representatives impeached President Donald Trump on December 18, 2019, after a White House whistleblower went public with evidence that Trump abused his powers by withholding military aid to Ukraine in order to dig up dirt on his rival, Joe Biden.

In the complaint,… pic.twitter.com/rZ6gTazw5v

— Michael Shellenberger (@shellenberger) February 5, 2025

NDR’s findings, which were produced in collaboration with French outlet Mediapart, Italian publication Il Fatto Quotidiano, and Greek investigative group Reporters United, were later suppressed following alleged pressure from OCCRP leadership.

According to Drop Site News, a whistleblower complaint against Trump in 2019 cited an OCCRP report four separate times, making the organization’s ties to USAID and U.S. intelligence agencies particularly significant.

“OCCRP does not operate like a normal investigative journalism organization in that its goals appear to include interfering in foreign political matters, including elections, aimed at regime change,” the report stated.

OCCRP co-founder Drew Sullivan admitted to NDR that the organization had been “responsible for five or six countries changing over from one government to another government… and getting prime ministers indicted or thrown out.”

NEW: @shellenberger tells Primetime how the USAID and the @CIA reportedly had ties to @realDonaldTrump’s impeachment. pic.twitter.com/SoIq8qfxW3

— Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) February 6, 2025

Beyond its alleged involvement in Trump’s impeachment, USAID has also been accused of funneling tens of millions of taxpayer dollars to major media organizations, including Politico, The Associated Press, The New York Times, and Reuters.

Press Secretary Leavitt calls out Politico to their face.

“I was made aware of funding from USAID to Media Outlets…including Politico…who I know has a seat in this room. The $8M you receive ends today. The DOGE Team is cancelling those payments now…” pic.twitter.com/s3xiy2h87F

— Liz Churchill (@liz_churchill10) February 5, 2025

Documents show that USAID’s substantial involvement clause allowed it to approve OCCRP’s leadership, work plans, and grant applications, further casting doubt on the organization’s claims of independence.

USAID official Shannon McGuire confirmed in the NDR documentary that the agency exercised control over OCCRP’s operations.

Additionally, another USAID official, Mike Henning, stated that USAID had direct authority over editorial decisions. “A cooperative agreement has more strings attached than a grant,” Henning said.

“Some of the strings that are attached in a cooperative agreement are approval of key personnel, approval of an annual work plan, approval of subgrants above a certain amount.”

Former USAID official Meg Gaydosik also confirmed that she helped rewrite OCCRP’s application for a major USAID grant, further cementing the financial and operational ties between the two entities.

The revelations surrounding USAID’s involvement in media influence and the 2019 impeachment of President Trump have led to its shutdown under the Trump administration.

The architects behind the Trump impeachments and lawfare were plotting to launder money through USAID for their anti-Trump resistance efforts.

I obtained their “2025 Democracy Playbook” which admits to all of this. pic.twitter.com/izopd5G4P4

— Natalie Winters (@nataliegwinters) February 4, 2025

By Friday, all overseas USAID missions are scheduled to be terminated, effectively ending the agency’s direct role in foreign and domestic political affairs.

The decision to absorb USAID into the State Department and furlough most of its employees signals a broader effort by the Trump administration to cut off taxpayer funding from agencies accused of political interference.

As the shutdown takes effect, questions remain about other undisclosed activities funded through USAID grants.

With the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) continuing its investigation, additional details on hidden media influence, covert funding streams, and government-backed narratives may still emerge.

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