USAID Overhaul Announced by Secretary of State
USAID is set to cease its foreign aid programs as the State Department takes control, a decision revealed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday. He indicated that the agency, under Donald Trump’s leadership, has not effectively aligned its initiatives with American interests.
Rubio stated that for decades, USAID has struggled to meet its developmental goals while anti-American sentiments have increased globally. “USAID has become more of an NGO industrial complex funded by taxpayers,” he explained, highlighting dissatisfaction with the agency’s performance since the end of the Cold War. “Under the Trump administration, we aim to refocus foreign funding to prioritize our national interests. As of July 1, USAID will no longer officially handle foreign aid.”
This change comes as Government Efficiency efforts targeted USAID, striving to eliminate inefficiencies and waste within government spending. Under scrutiny, the agency reportedly cut several funding options, such as a $1.5 million initiative aimed at promoting diversity in Serbia and a $70,000 program linked to a diversity-themed musical in Ireland.
Following a thorough review that lasted six weeks, Rubio revealed that more than 80% of USAID’s programs would be terminated, affecting roughly 5,200 of the agency’s 6,200 initiatives.
Critics, including many Democratic leaders, have condemned the restructuring of foreign aid and expressed concern about its implications. Actress Charlize Theron voiced her objections, stating that reductions in foreign aid could lead to dire consequences, particularly for HIV and AIDS programs in South Africa. “This is harmful and people are suffering,” she expressed at an outreach event, emphasizing the broader implications of these cuts on vulnerable communities.
She also noted an alarming trend regarding immigration policies that threaten family unity and undermine the rights of women and LGBTQ individuals. Despite the challenges, Theron encouraged collective action through organizing, protesting, and voting, asserting that hope lies in refusal to accept these changes as the new norm.
