"U.S. officials who spoke with me on the condition of anonymity to describe Benz's position said he's a special government employee, a type of executive-branch appointee brought in to perform important services for a limited period of time."
"Benz's mission, officials told me, is to use the agency's archives to substantiate his own allegations about USAID's pernicious influence in the world-its role in foreign regime change, its promotion of "state-sponsored hit pieces," and its suppression of free speech."
"He's fixated, for example, on communications among USAID staff following the 2024 election, which he has told associates hold the key to the agency's wrongdoing."
Mike Benz rose to prominence spreading fantastical claims about USAID and other conspiracies, and previously advocated white identity politics. Benz promoted the idea that USAID funds disturbing projects and portrayed the agency as a terrorist organization or spy operation. Elon Musk's attention helped trigger a dramatic dismantling of the agency, leaving staff surprised when Benz arrived at the decimated office. Benz holds special government employee status and intends to search USAID archives to substantiate allegations about regime change, state-sponsored hit pieces, and suppression of speech. Benz is focused on internal communications after the 2024 election that he says prove wrongdoing.
Read at The Atlantic
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