Democratic Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett discussed in an interview on Thursday that reducing funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) might increase the risk of attacks similar to 9/11.
In January, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to freeze foreign aid, prompting some controversy. Elon Musk has also remarked on how the government has a reputation for inefficiency. Critics point out that USAID allocates money to projects like transgender clinics in Vietnam and comic books in Peru. In her chat with Jamal Bryant on the podcast “Let’s Be Clear,” Crockett expressed concern that cutting USAID funds could lead to a resurgence of terrorism.
“People often reduce it to just money being sent overseas, but they fail to understand that our soft power plays a key role,” Crockett mentioned. “The relationships we build help shape how we’re perceived globally. When we send aid, like medicine, it contributes to safety back at home.”
Crockett accused certain officials of obscuring the truth.
“They have a talent for making us focus on specific narratives. So, when money is allocated overseas, folks think it detracts from what we need domestically. This is a distraction,” she added. “Sure, it seems like a lot, but they prefer you overlook the bigger picture.”
She contrasted foreign aid with defense spending and criticized significant increases in military budgets, contending that immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) agents are awarded excessive benefits while support for vulnerable Americans is cut.
“There was a moment when truth came out during the tensions between Eron and Trump. Trump suggested cutting contracts, suggesting we could save money. I’ve said this before; we’re overpaying these defense contracts,” Crockett remarked. “Yet they decided to allocate a trillion dollars for defense, while ICE agents can get bonuses that seem excessive amidst these budget cuts.”
While Crockett claimed that ICE agents could receive bonuses up to $42,000, this claim is rooted in ongoing legislative discussions, and the details are more complex. Legislation signed on July 4th includes funding for ICE to hire new personnel but doesn’t guarantee such bonuses for existing agents.
Crockett cautioned against being swayed by divisive political strategies, advising the public to consider the wider implications of focusing solely on specific issues.
“Don’t let them divide us,” she urged. “Honestly, your views on issues like LGBTQIA rights, abortion, or immigration don’t matter to me in this regard. Some may think it’s easy to push people out, but the consequences are broader. Farmers are already feeling the impact.”
“We’re all linked, so while I care about those topics, I’m not trying to convince anyone.”
However, there’s no strong evidence supporting Crockett’s assertion that cutting USAID funds could result in an incident like 9/11. In reality, USAID’s budget accounts for only 0.3% of total federal spending, suggesting limited effects on national security.
