Reuters: USAID Remaining Budget Used for Security of US Office of Management and Budget Director

The White House Office of Management and Budget has allocated millions of dollars from USAID's remaining budget to cover security costs for Russell Vought, director of the office.
According to three documents obtained by Reuters, $15 million from USAID's remaining operational budget has been set aside to fund Vought's protection by the US Marshals Service through the end of 2026. An informed source told Reuters that Vought's security team includes more than a dozen US marshals, though this has not been independently verified.
The Office of Management and Budget declined to provide an interview with Vought, and the Marshals Service refrained from identifying protected individuals. Rachel Kalil, spokesperson for the Office of Management and Budget, stated that funds from three agencies under Vought's oversight -- the Office of Management and Budget, USAID, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau -- would be used for his security.
The documents detail a contract signed on September 11 between the Office of Management and Budget and USAID, allocating $1.6 million from USAID's remaining budget for Vought's security through November. An additional $13.5 million was allocated for his security costs through the end of the current year.
This comes as the Donald Trump administration ordered USAID's closure in January, canceling most of its aid programs. Foreign aid responsibilities have been transferred to the State Department, with the 64-year-old agency expected to cease operations by September. Vought is a key figure in federal government reduction policies and reportedly faces threats due to his role in conservative initiatives.
More in International

Afghanistan Absent from Munich Security Conference 2026; Taliban Accused of Excluding Country from Global Forums

Pakistani Police Demolish Homes of Afghan Refugees in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Russian ambassador says Kant airbase in Kyrgyzstan equipped to counter threats from Afghanistan

62nd Munich Security Conference Opens with Focus on Ukraine War, Gaza Crisis
ReliableAfghanistan Absent from Munich Security Conference 2026; Taliban Accused of Excluding Country from Global Forums
Afghanistan lacks representatives at the 2026 Munich Security Conference, with a former official blaming the Taliban for excluding the country from global forums amid security and returnee crises. UNHCR warns of deepening humanitarian woes from mass returns, while Taliban governors discuss military units and returnee support.
ReliablePakistani Police Demolish Homes of Afghan Refugees in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Pakistani police have demolished homes of Afghan refugees in camps in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa amid ongoing forced deportations to Afghanistan. Refugees report uncertainty and hardship, with hundreds of thousands having returned recently and facing challenges inside the country.
ReliableRussian ambassador says Kant airbase in Kyrgyzstan equipped to counter threats from Afghanistan
Russian Ambassador Sergey Vakonov said the Kant airbase in Kyrgyzstan is fully equipped to address security threats from Afghanistan and supports regional counter-terrorism efforts.
Reliable62nd Munich Security Conference Opens with Focus on Ukraine War, Gaza Crisis
The 62nd Munich Security Conference opened in Germany, focusing on the Ukraine war, Gaza crisis, Iran, and transatlantic ties, with key figures including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attending. Discussions highlight tensions in alliances and calls to end the Ukraine conflict.