Trump Budget Chief Vought Used Funds Meant for Global Aid to Pay for His Own Security

Documents show Vought diverted $15 million from USAID to cover his personal protection detail through 2026.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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According to documents reviewed by Reuters, Russell Vought, the former Director of the Office of Management and Budget under President Trump, has been using funds meant for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to pay for his personal security detail. This comes as USAID is being dismantled, with only around 100 staff members left to close out operations by September. Vought, who was the architect of Trump's 'Project 2025' plan to dismantle federal agencies, has faced increased threats related to his work and is now having his US Marshals Service protection paid for by the dwindling USAID budget.

Why it matters

Vought's diversion of USAID funds to cover his own security detail is seen as a misuse of taxpayer money and a further blow to the agency's global aid efforts. USAID's shutdown will contribute to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, mostly children, by cutting off critical disease prevention and treatment programs worldwide.

The details

Documents show that the White House Office of Management and Budget, which Vought oversaw, is allocating $15 million from what remains of USAID's operating expenses to pay for Vought's protection through the end of 2026. This comes as USAID is being shuttered, with only around 100 staff members left to close out all operations by September. Vought, who said he hopes to put 'bureaucrats in trauma,' has faced increased threats related to his work on Project 2025, the conservative blueprint that has influenced much of Trump's second term agenda.

  • Earlier this year, a man was arrested and is facing attempted murder charges after law enforcement said he showed up at Vought's Northern Virginia home with rubber gloves and a surgical mask.
  • Vought has received increased threats related to his work since being picked by President Trump and his control over Project 2025.

The players

Russell Vought

The former Director of the Office of Management and Budget under President Trump, who was the architect of the administration's 'Project 2025' plan to dismantle federal agencies.

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

The federal agency that provides international humanitarian and development assistance, which is being dismantled under the Trump administration with only around 100 staff members left to close out operations by September.

President Donald Trump

The former president who worked with Vought to dismantle USAID as part of the 'Project 2025' agenda.

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What’s next

The judge in Vought's case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him out on bail for the attempted murder charges related to the incident at his home.

The takeaway

Vought's diversion of USAID funds to cover his own security detail is a concerning misuse of taxpayer money and a further blow to the agency's critical global aid efforts, which will have devastating consequences for vulnerable populations worldwide.