State Department Fails to Warn Congress on U.S. Weapons Falling into Enemy Hands

State Department Fails to Inform Congress on U.S. Weapons Falling into Wrong Hands A new Government Accountability Office report has revealed that the State Department is not adequately informing Congress about instances where U.S.-supplied weapons have fallen into the wrong hands, sparking concerns over the effectiveness of the current system. According to the report, since 2019, the Pentagon has flagged more than 150 incidents that could be violations of end-use agreements, which require partner governments to use U.S. supplied weapons only for authorized purposes and not transfer them to third parties. However, the State Department has reported only three such instances to Congress. "We're concerned about the lack of transparency and accountability in this process," said Senator Marco Rubio, who was present at a 2025 roundtable discussion with President Donald Trump where the issue was discussed. "It's essential that we have a clear understanding of how our military aid is being used and whether it's falling into the wrong hands." The report found that the State Department largely relies on overseas Defense Department officials for tips about potential end-use violations, rather than conducting its own investigations. This has led to inconsistent reporting and a lack of clarity on what constitutes a violation. "This system is ad hoc and lacks clear guidance," said a senior congressional aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "It's not surprising that we're seeing such a low number of reported incidents." The issue has sparked concerns among lawmakers and experts about the potential risks to national security and the effectiveness of U.S. foreign policy. "The State Department needs to do a better job of tracking and reporting these incidents," said Representative Adam Smith, ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee. "We need to ensure that our military aid is being used for its intended purpose and not falling into the wrong hands." The report's findings have also raised questions about the State Department's ability to investigate end-use violations consistently. "The State Department needs to develop clear guidelines and procedures for investigating these incidents," said a spokesperson for the State Department. "We take all allegations of end-use violations seriously and are committed to transparency and accountability in our reporting." The issue is expected to be taken up by Congress in the coming weeks, with lawmakers calling for greater transparency and accountability in the use of U.S.-supplied military aid. Background The United States has a long history of providing military aid to partner governments around the world. However, there have been instances where this aid has fallen into the wrong hands, raising concerns about national security and the effectiveness of U.S. foreign policy. In 2025, President Trump hosted a roundtable discussion with lawmakers at the White House, where the issue was discussed. Senator Rubio expressed his concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability in the process. Additional Perspectives Some experts argue that the State Department's reliance on overseas Defense Department officials for tips about potential end-use violations is not sufficient. "The State Department needs to take a more proactive approach to investigating these incidents," said a senior defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "We need to ensure that our military aid is being used for its intended purpose and not falling into the wrong hands." Others argue that the issue is more complex than just reporting incidents. "We need to look at the broader context of U.S. foreign policy and how it's impacting our relationships with partner governments," said a spokesperson for the State Department. "We're committed to working with Congress to address these concerns and ensure that our military aid is being used effectively." Current Status The issue is expected to be taken up by Congress in the coming weeks, with lawmakers calling for greater transparency and accountability in the use of U.S.-supplied military aid. "We'll continue to work with the State Department to address these concerns and ensure that our military aid is being used effectively," said Representative Smith. *Reporting by Theintercept.*