Once-Trusted GOP Senator Embroiled In Major USAID-Related Scandal [Tom Cotton]

[240B]

Once-Trusted GOP Senator Embroiled In Major USAID-Related Scandal

Trending Politics News
By Chris Powell
February 17, 2025

Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), once regarded as a staunch conservative voice in the Republican Party, is now facing major scrutiny over his connections to the International Republican Institute (IRI), a taxpayer-funded nonprofit that has received over $130.7 million in federal grants in 2024 alone.

According to DataRepublican, a leading investigative account on government spending on X, formerly Twitter, Cotton serves as a Director at IRI, though he does not receive compensation for his role. Despite this, the organization’s funding and activities have raised concerns among conservative circles, particularly in relation to its alignment with globalist initiatives that run counter to America First policies.

Recent audits reveal that IRI, one of eight core non-governmental organizations (NGOs) affiliated with the U.S. political establishment, has been heavily bankrolled by USAID, with nearly $130.7 million of taxpayer funds allocated to the organization in the past year. The financial records highlight significant spending on:

• Salaries: $38 million
• Fringe benefits: $17.5 million
• Travel expenses: $12.1 million
• Rent and utilities: $3 million

While IRI has long positioned itself as a pro-democracy group, it has also been linked to efforts supporting refugee resettlement through UN-affiliated organizations, such as the International Organization for Migration. Many conservatives believe that these initiatives undermine U.S. sovereignty and fail to align with Republican voters’ interests.

(more)
https://trendingpoliticsnews.com/just-in-once-trusted-gop-senator-embroiled-in-major-usaid-related-scandal-mace/

[240B]

Et tu Brute?

[Hoodat]

In other words, you will never get Congress to cut funding for any of these organizations.  The only way to do it is by Executive action.  Cut off the money first.  Then see what happens.

[mountaineer]

While IRI has long positioned itself as a pro-democracy group, it has also been linked to efforts supporting refugee resettlement through UN-affiliated organizations, such as the International Organization for Migration.

This is disgusting. Cotton certainly needs to answer questions about this. It's not just Democrat fraud and corruption that needs to be weeded out.

[libertybele]

This is disgusting. Cotton certainly needs to answer questions about this. It's not just Democrat fraud and corruption that needs to be weeded out.

Exactly.  There's corruption on both sides of the aisle and I believe a vast majority of our GOP Senators and Congressmen are knee deep in corruption.  Just my opinion.

[mountaineer]

Exactly.  There's corruption on both sides of the aisle and I believe a vast majority of our GOP Senators and Congressmen are knee deep in corruption.  Just my opinion.

Turtle and Lady Linzey come to mind. If they're not getting a cut, I'd be amazed.

[Bigun]

Just guessing, but I strongly suspect that the list of those NOT in on the graft is much shorter.

[240B]

Exactly.  There's corruption on both sides of the aisle and I believe a vast majority of our GOP Senators and Congressmen are knee deep in corruption.  Just my opinion.

That is why the GOPE, as it is called, was just as much invested in sabotaging Trump's last term and his current campaign as the Democrats were. They were all in it together to squash Trump and his supporters.

Notice that almost no Republicans spoke out about the blatantly obvious political persecutions of all the J6 hostages. Why no Republican spoke out about the obvious voter fraud we all saw with our own eyes. They were ALL in it together to "stop Trump" to save themselves. With Trump, the Republicans and the Democrats were united into the famous "Uniparty Front".

They had a good RICO racket setup. Neither party wanted some 'outsider' to rock the boat.

[Wingnut]

They are all either on the arm or doing other "questionable" things to pad their nesteggs.  Some are better at hiding it than others.  But they are all crooks.

[Hoodat]

They are all either on the arm or doing other "questionable" things to pad their nesteggs.  Some are better at hiding it than others.  But they are all crooks.

Can't believe someone put "trusted" and "Senator" in the same sentence.

[240B]

I am waiting to hear what they find on Pence. I have no doubt that he is/was a McConnell type 'establishment' insider.

[Wingnut]

Can't believe someone put "trusted" and "Senator" in the same sentence.

"We don't know what they have on us"
-Maxine Waters.

[corbe]

[DB]

Just guessing, but I strongly suspect that the list of those NOT in on the graft is much shorter.

I'll be very disappointed if Cruz is in on that action.

[bilo]

I am waiting to hear what they find on Pence. I have no doubt that he is/was a McConnell type 'establishment' insider.

I don't think they will find anything. He's just a dumb "go along get along" guy.

[Hoodat]

Amen, brother.  Amen.

[mountaineer]

Just Keith
@KeithMalinak
Please watch this incredible interview between @SteveDeaceShow and @DataRepublican about how our government is allowing our money to vanish into the coffers of elected politicians.  Hint: The uniparty is real.
5:42 PM · Feb 17, 2025

https://twitter.com/CitizenFreePres/status/1891313469875458555

[mountaineer]

According to her investigation, seven NGOs, heavily backed by USAID and the U.S. State Department, act as the Uniparty’s enforcement arm—pushing propaganda under the guise of “protecting democracy.”

These groups, originally formed during the Cold War, have shifted their mission from spreading democracy abroad to protecting their own power—redefining “democracy” to mean themselves.

“Note what they all have in common? They are all dedicated to advocating democracy. And they have redefined ‘democracy’ to mean themselves,” @DataRepublican explained.

https://twitter.com/VigilantFox/status/1891300447258116325

[Kamaji]

[the OlLine Rebel]

Absolutely.

And the 16th.

[240B]

I don't think they will find anything. He's just a dumb "go along get along" guy.

I am not so sure about that. The "dumb" thing is a GREAT cover for a criminal.
It certainly worked for Biden.

[deb]

Just guessing, but I strongly suspect that the list of those NOT in on the graft is much shorter.

Maybe just a handful.

[mountaineer]

Thomas Massie
@RepThomasMassie
Almost no one in Congress is serious about cutting spending. They’re cowards.
They’re not willing to stare lobbyists (money) and constituents (voters) in the eyes and tell them it’s their oxen which must be gored.
They are too afraid of losing their next election.
TANSTAAFL
7:04 AM · Feb 18, 2025

Thomas Massie
@RepThomasMassie
3 hard truths that go against many of the replies here:
1. Term limits doesn’t fix this. Voters need to step up.
2. Banning lobbying is not a silver bullet. When citizens petition representatives, they are lobbying.
3. Most politicians are weak, but they are not corrupt.
7:52 AM · Feb 18, 2025

[Bigun]

Thomas Massie
@RepThomasMassie
Almost no one in Congress is serious about cutting spending. They’re cowards.
They’re not willing to stare lobbyists (money) and constituents (voters) in the eyes and tell them it’s their oxen which must be gored.
They are too afraid of losing their next election.
TANSTAAFL
7:04 AM · Feb 18, 2025

Thomas Massie
@RepThomasMassie
3 hard truths that go against many of the replies here:
1. Term limits doesn’t fix this. Voters need to step up.
2. Banning lobbying is not a silver bullet. When citizens petition representatives, they are lobbying.
3. Most politicians are weak, but they are not corrupt.
7:52 AM · Feb 18, 2025

They are weak and that is exactly how the become corrupt.

[DefiantMassRINO]

Who's providing the non-Government funding for these NGO's?

[catfish1957]

Shit...  I had considered Cotton one of our best, and an iron clad conservative.

This sucks, if true.

[catfish1957]

Maybe just a handful.

I'd be surprised if Rand Paul is on that list.  He is about the only one at this point.

[Smokin Joe]

No one said this would be pretty.

Back the Buffalo up and let the chips fall where they may.

[bigheadfred]

No one said this would be pretty.

Back the Buffalo up and let the chips fall where they may.

Lets hope when the when the chips are down the buffalo is empty.

[mountaineer]

Thomas Massie
@RepThomasMassie
Almost no one in Congress is serious about cutting spending. They’re cowards.   ...

Sen. Lee responds on X to Rep. Massie:

Mike Lee
@BasedMikeLee
The next time you hear House or Senate Republicans complaining about federal funds being used to fund studies on how cocaine-using, gender-non-conforming crayfish perform on a treadmill, ask them how many times they’ve joined nearly all Democrats to pass spending bills that (1) they never had the chance to read, much less debate or amend, and (2) were opposed by most Republicans

The easy, routine passage of such bills—without any meaningful opportunity for debate or modification, and supported by just enough Republican votes to ensure passage—all but ensures the perpetuation of excessive, wasteful spending

This is a habit that must come to an end if we’re ever going to get federal spending under control

It’s a habit that can’t be blamed entirely on Democrats
11:06 AM · Feb 18, 2025

[dfwgator]

Shit...  I had considered Cotton one of our best, and an iron clad conservative.

This sucks, if true.

They are all whores until proven otherwise.

[Bigun]

They are all whores until proven otherwise.

It's damned near impossible to spend time wading around in a cesspool without getting any on you.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

We will continue to see even some of the stalwart conservatives be stalked.

Remember the intelligence agencies have been compromised for decades and are still operating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OYyXv2l4-I

[jafo2010]

Sad news about Sen Cotton.

But in the environment of Washington, DC, I am not surprised.

So, Trump should issue out two Executive orders,

1.  End any and all funding of NGOs by federal tax dollars

2.  Force Congress to pass legislation providing for term limits.  12 years and out.  No pension for elected officials, just a normal 301k like everyone else has.  Trump has the leverage like I would never have imagined.