Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, is under fire for his association with the International Republican Institute (IRI), a non-governmental organization that has received substantial taxpayer funding, primarily through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
According to DataRepublican, Cotton holds a director position at IRI, though he does not receive compensation for this role. In 2024 alone, the organization secured $130.7 million in funding, with significant portions allocated to travel expenses and employee benefits. Reports indicate that over $12 million was spent on travel, while more than $14 million went toward pensions and other benefits.
Despite IRI’s Republican affiliation, the organization has been criticized for supporting initiatives that contrast with former President Donald Trump’s policies. Notably, IRI has funded progressive projects, including refugee resettlement programs managed by the International Organization for Migration, a UN-affiliated entity. Critics argue that these initiatives align more with globalist interests than with conservative values or the priorities of the American public.
Adding to the controversy, Cotton is reportedly working to prevent Elbridge Colby’s nomination as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy in Trump’s Department of Defense. Colby, known for his opposition to the Bush-Cheney legacy within the DOD, has faced resistance from Cotton, escalating tensions between the senator and Trump’s supporters.
