Documents Reveal USAID Funding for Al Qaeda Figure’s College Education

Documents Reveal USAID Funding for Al Qaeda Figure’s College Education

The U.S. Agency for International Development, commonly known as USAID, has come under scrutiny as reports surface that it provided full funding for Anwar al-Awlaki, an infamous al Qaeda terrorist, to attend college in Colorado. Newly unearthed documents indicate that this funding was obtained through misleading claims regarding his nationality and eligibility for an exchange visa.

Anwar al-Awlaki, an American-born jihadist, was killed in a drone strike in Yemen in 2011 during the Obama administration. He became a prominent figure in al Qaeda and was linked to significant acts of terrorism, including his connection with Army psychiatrist Nidal Hasan prior to the tragic Fort Hood shooting in 2009, which resulted in the loss of 13 lives.

USAID Under Investigation

The recent revelations regarding USAID funding come amid ongoing investigations by the Department of Government Efficiency into various federal agencies, focusing on overspending, corruption, and fraud. Political scrutiny has intensified specifically on USAID as it faces accusations of financing questionable programs over the years.

Controversial Programs

Critics, including Republican lawmakers and watchdog organizations, have pointed to an array of questionable initiatives that USAID has supported. Examples of these initiatives include the establishment of an Iraqi version of a well-known children’s program and the promotion of transgender activism in countries like Guatemala. These efforts have sparked significant debate around the agency’s priorities and funding strategies.

Funding Al-Awlaki’s Education

This week, social media was ablaze with documents purportedly showing that USAID funded al-Awlaki’s tuition at Colorado State University. Investigative reporters released a USAID form dated June 1990, which claimed that al-Awlaki fraudulently represented himself as a Yemeni national eligible for an exchange visa. This revelation adds a new layer of concern regarding how taxpayer money is allocated.

Born in Las Cruces, New Mexico, in 1971, al-Awlaki was raised both in the United States and Yemen. The unearthed documentation was initially reported by the National Security Archive, a project of George Washington University’s research institution. This report indicates that officials originally provided improper advice to al-Awlaki’s family, suggesting he should falsely claim he was born in Sana’a, Yemen’s capital, to secure funding reserved for foreign students.

Uncovering Misrepresentation

The National Security Archive’s report also claims that the form incorrectly listed al-Awlaki’s birthplace and contained misleading information about his studies. Al-Awlaki purportedly reported himself as a civil engineering student at Colorado State University, falsely stating that he was cared for by USAID in Yemen.

In an effort to verify the authenticity of these claims, Fox News Digital reached out to Colorado State University for comment regarding al-Awlaki’s attendance and the validity of the documents, but a response was not immediately received.

A Troubling Path

Al-Awlaki completed his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Colorado State University in 1994. Following his graduation, he worked as a Muslim cleric in various cities, including Denver and San Diego. Notably, he interacted with Khalid al-Mihdhar and Nawaf al-Hazmi, two of the hijackers involved in the 9/11 attacks, while preaching at a mosque in San Diego in 2000.

His rise as a contentious figure escalated when he was arrested in Yemen in 2006 on suspicion of maintaining ties to terrorists. U.S. intelligence treated him as a terrorist sympathizer, especially following his connection to the Fort Hood shooting and the attempted bombing of a flight bound for Detroit on Christmas Day in 2009.

Response to Al-Awlaki’s Actions

In 2010, the Obama administration authorized action to capture or eliminate al-Awlaki, ultimately resulting in his death from a drone strike on September 30, 2011. President Barack Obama described this operation as a vital step in combating al Qaeda. He praised the efforts of the intelligence community and the close collaboration with Yemen’s security forces in the years leading up to the strike.

Political Fallout and Agency Changes

The recent findings connecting al-Awlaki to USAID funding arrive amid significant changes within the agency, driven by the Trump administration’s attempts to overhaul government operations. This overhaul has included the removal of USAID’s signage from its headquarters and a temporary shutdown of the agency’s website, which only displayed information regarding personnel changes.

A federal judge recently issued a ruling to temporarily block the Trump administration’s decision to put approximately 2,200 USAID employees on leave, with the order remaining effective until at least mid-February. Reports from within the agency indicate a growing concern among employees regarding the ongoing investigation led by the Department of Government Efficiency, which some have described as a mafia-like takeover.

Concerns and Criticism

Numerous government employees and Democrats have expressed outrage at DOGE’s actions, with many alleging that their privacy is at risk under Elon Musk’s leadership. In a recent interview, Trump underscored the necessity of addressing issues such as fraud and agency waste, specifically citing concerns regarding USAID’s expenditures.

As the investigation unfolds and scrutiny intensifies, both the implications of funding for terrorist figures and the effectiveness of government agencies like USAID will remain in the public eye, demanding accountability for past actions and a reevaluation of future funding priorities.