A federal government whistleblower investigation reveals troubling details about a notorious terrorist's education history in the United States.
According to Fox News, newly unearthed documents show the U.S. Agency for International Development provided full funding for al Qaeda terrorist Anwar al-Awlaki's college education at Colorado State University through a fraudulent exchange visa program.
The records, which were posted on social media and previously documented by George Washington University's National Security Archive in 2015, indicate that al-Awlaki received the funding after falsely claiming he was born in Sana'a, Yemen, despite being a natural-born U.S. citizen from New Mexico. The document states that al-Awlaki studied civil engineering at Colorado State University and listed his contact address as "USAID/Sana'a."
The revelation comes amid intensified scrutiny of USAID under the Department of Government Efficiency's broader investigation into federal agency spending and alleged mismanagement. USAID, an independent government agency responsible for managing foreign aid programs, faces mounting criticism from Republican lawmakers and DOGE officials over questionable funding decisions.
Recent investigations have exposed USAID's involvement in various controversial projects, including the development of an Iraqi version of "Sesame Street" and promoting transgender activism in Guatemala. These discoveries have led to increased oversight and calls for reform within the agency.
The Trump administration has taken dramatic steps to address concerns about USAID operations, including removing agency signage from its headquarters and shutting down its website in early February. The website previously displayed a message indicating direct-hire personnel would be placed on leave, except for those performing mission-critical functions.
Al-Awlaki's journey from a USAID-funded college student to a prominent al Qaeda figure has sparked serious concerns about the agency's vetting processes. After completing his studies, he worked as a Muslim cleric in several U.S. cities, including Denver, San Diego, and Falls Church, Virginia.
During his time in San Diego in 2000, al-Awlaki reportedly met with two of the 9/11 hijackers, Khalid al-Mihdhar and Nawaf al-Hazmi. His connections to terrorism became more apparent when he was linked to the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, where Army psychiatrist Nidal Hasan killed 13 people.
President Obama addressed al-Awlaki's death in 2011, stating:
The death of Awlaki marks another significant milestone in the broader effort to defeat al Qaeda and its affiliates. Furthermore, the success is a tribute to our intelligence community and to the efforts of Yemen and its security forces, who have worked closely with the United States over the course of several years.
Recent developments have created tension between the Trump administration's reform efforts and USAID employees. A federal judge temporarily blocked the administration's plan to place approximately 2,200 agency workers on leave, with the order remaining in effect until at least February 14.
USAID staff have expressed strong opposition to DOGE and its chairman, Elon Musk, describing the investigation as a "mafia-like takeover." Some employees have reported feeling "psychologically frightened" about the possibility of their private data being shared publicly.
During a recent Fox News interview with Bret Baier, Trump emphasized his commitment to addressing government inefficiency, stating:
We have to solve the efficiency problem. We have to solve the fraud, waste, abuse, all the things that have gone into the government. You take a look at the USAID, the kind of fraud in there.
The revelation of USAID's funding of al-Awlaki's education through fraudulent means has intensified scrutiny of the agency's operations and spending practices. The discovery comes as the Trump administration, through DOGE's oversight, implements sweeping changes to address concerns about government waste and mismanagement. As legal challenges continue and employee concerns mount, the future of USAID and its role in managing foreign aid programs remains uncertain, with potential reforms reshaping its structure and operations.
