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 among lawmakers and experts.
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. weapons only for authorized purposes, keep them secure, and not transfer them to third parties. However, the State Department has reported only three end-use violations to Capitol Hill.
"This is a disturbing trend," said Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), who was quoted as expressing concerns about the issue during a roundtable discussion with President Donald Trump at the White House on October 8, 2025. "We need to know when our weapons are being used in ways that could harm U.S. interests or put them in the hands of adversaries."
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 approach has been criticized by lawmakers and experts as inconsistent and lacking clear guidance.
"We need a more systematic approach to tracking and reporting end-use violations," said Representative Adam Smith (D-WA), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee. "The State Department needs to provide Congress with regular updates on these incidents, so we can better understand the scope of the problem and take action to prevent it."
Background context shows that the U.S. has been supplying weapons to partner governments for decades, with the aim of promoting stability and security in regions such as the Middle East and Asia. However, there have been numerous instances where these weapons have fallen into the wrong hands, including being used by terrorist groups or sold on the black market.
The Government Accountability Office report highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the U.S. foreign military sales program. "We urge the State Department to take immediate action to address this issue," said a spokesperson for the GAO. "Congress needs to be informed about these incidents, so we can work together to prevent them from happening in the future."
The report's findings have sparked calls for greater oversight and reform of the U.S. foreign military sales program. Lawmakers are expected to hold hearings on the issue in the coming weeks.
In response to the report, a State Department spokesperson said that the department is "committed to ensuring the responsible use of U.S.-supplied weapons" and is working to improve its reporting and tracking procedures. However, critics argue that more needs to be done to address the systemic issues highlighted by the GAO report.
As the issue continues to unfold, lawmakers and experts are urging greater transparency and accountability in the U.S. foreign military sales program. "This is a critical moment for Congress to take action," said Senator Rubio. "We need to ensure that our weapons are not being used against us or our allies."
*Reporting by Theintercept.*
