Representative Brian Mast, incoming chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is preparing for a comprehensive review of State Department spending under the incoming Trump administration. Mast emphasized the need for transparency, particularly regarding funds allocated to foreign entities, including NGOs, governments, and even adversaries like the Taliban.

In an exclusive interview, Mast likened the necessary scrutiny to a "colonoscopy," highlighting the committee's commitment to meticulously examining every bureau and branch within the State Department. He expressed his intention to work closely with Senator Marco Rubio, Trump's nominee for Secretary of State, to bring greater public awareness to these financial transactions, a level of transparency he believes was lacking under the Biden administration. Mast's objective is to implement a system requiring Congressional notification for every State Department grant, enabling oversight and the ability to block potentially problematic allocations.

A decorated veteran of the Afghanistan war, Mast secured the chairmanship after a competitive race. His close alliance with President-elect Trump, including his leadership of the Veterans for Trump coalition, played a significant role in his selection. While Mast's stance on Ukraine aid aligns more closely with Trump's more cautious approach compared to some of his Republican colleagues, he underscored his commitment to supporting Trump's plan for achieving a decisive victory for Ukraine and holding Russia accountable.

Mast's overarching principle for the committee centers on prioritizing American interests in all diplomatic efforts and financial expenditures. He warned that diplomats who fail to uphold this principle will face intense scrutiny. He also emphasized his collaboration with Rubio in pursuing this objective and expressed his determination to hold accountable any State Department employees involved in questionable spending practices, citing the example of a hypothetical allocation of taxpayer funds towards promoting atheism.