It was a triumphant moment for the Trump administration when, letter by letter, workers removed the sign reading “U.S. Agency for International Development” from the pale limestone facade of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. The agency’s closure, precipitated by a controversial experiment in government efficiency reforms, heralded long-overdue cuts to government excesses and abuses, including taxpayer funding of terrorist-linked extremist groups. 

However, the end of USAID has also triggered unexpected collateral damage. If lawmakers fail to act, the demise of the agency could also risk the closure of USAID’s Office of the Inspector General, the only federal oversight body with the capabilities and expertise required to police a corruption-plagued foreign aid sector.