WASHINGTON — Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn sparked controversy with a cryptic social media post calling for an investigation into federal funding practices, particularly within the U.S. State Department’s anti-human trafficking efforts. Flynn’s message, posted on X (formerly Twitter), referenced the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an informal term used by some political figures to advocate for reducing government waste.
Flynn linked the post to President Donald Trump’s leadership, claiming his efforts would lead to “a vastly stronger America.” He urged Elon Musk’s team to investigate federal spending on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in anti-human trafficking initiatives.
Allegations of mismanagement
Flynn alleged that the State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, which has received billions in funding since 2001, had “deceived the American people for over two decades” regarding its effectiveness. He claimed the office focused on securing larger budgets rather than reducing trafficking.
“That office has run amuck and now needs to be reined in or shut down,” Flynn wrote, asserting that funds were distributed to NGOs with “little to no oversight” and without a clear model to measure success.
He further alleged that taxpayer money had been funneled through USAID to Silicon Valley for unclear purposes. “You have to ask why,” Flynn wrote, without providing specific evidence or details.
Ties to foreign interventions
Flynn’s post also suggested that government funds were used to support international political movements, specifically mentioning George Soros-funded initiatives in Latvia and Lithuania. He claimed such efforts trained “civil dissidents to overthrow foreign despots” aligned with figures such as former President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
“This goes way back to even before the pre-Arab uprising days with the likes of Gaddafi and Mubarak,” Flynn wrote, implying U.S. taxpayer money played a role in broader geopolitical conflicts.
Lack of response from officials
Neither the State Department nor USAID has publicly responded to Flynn’s claims. Musk has also not commented on whether he or his team plan to investigate the allegations.
Flynn’s post has drawn mixed reactions, with supporters praising his call for transparency while critics dismiss it as an unfounded conspiracy theory.
Flynn’s message has reignited debates over government funding, oversight, and U.S. involvement in global affairs.