Exclusive: White House uses USAID funds for budget director Vought's security, documents show [View all]

Source: Reuters

February 13, 2026 6:02 AM EST Updated 3 hours ago


WASHINGTON, Feb 13 (Reuters) - The White House budget office is using millions of dollars from the former U.S. foreign aid agency to pay for the security detail of Russell Vought, President Donald Trump's budget chief and an architect of the government overhaul that has cut thousands of federal jobs, according to three documents seen by Reuters.

The White House Office of Management and Budget, which Vought leads, is allocating $15 million of what remains of USAID operating expenses to cover the costs of his protection by the U.S. Marshals Service through the end of 2026, the documents showed.

A person familiar with the matter said that Vought's security detail comprises more than one dozen U.S. Marshals, which Reuters could not independently confirm. OMB did not make Vought available for interview. The Marshals Service did not comment on Vought specifically, saying it does not identify people under protection but it "typically seeks reimbursement by the supported agency."

Asked about the use of USAID funds, OMB spokesperson Rachel Cauley said in an email: "We are going to continue to use available funds at the three agencies overseen by the director to protect him." She apparently was referring to OMB, USAID and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, of which Vought is the acting director.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/white-house-uses-usaid-funds-budget-director-voughts-security-documents-show-2026-02-13/