The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was founded by President Kennedy in 1961 as a federal agency for administering foreign aid and development assistance worldwide. In a significant policy shift, President Donald Trump’s administration has announced plans to dismantle the agency.
This move follows recommendations from Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), who was tasked with making the government more efficient and cutting out unnecessary federal expenditures.
Over the weekend, Musk’s team accessed USAID’s classified systems and closed its headquarters in Washington, D.C. The agency’s operations have been transferred under the direct control of the State Department, with Secretary Marco Rubio appointed as its acting director. USAID’s website has also been relocated to a subsection of the State Department’s site, and its social media accounts have been deactivated.
Elon Musk labels the USAID as beyond repair, calling it a “bowl of worms.” Apparently, there have been previous allegations of waste funds against the agency, with no solid explanation in response. The USAID also reeks of duplicative titles, which, according to accusations, are just there for fraudulent purposes.
Considering that American taxpayers fund the USAID, Musk calls for disbanding it and making more efficient use of taxes. He claims that eliminating the USAID will reduce fraud and save money from the U.S. deficit next year.
The Trump administration views this move as a strategy to control budgetary allocations and align USAID’s operations with broader U.S. foreign policy objectives. However, the decision has sparked protests from congressional Democrats, who argue it undermines constitutional powers and could negatively impact global aid programs.
According to Oxfam America President & CEO Abby Maxman, “Dismantling USAID would be a callous, destructive political power play that would have deadly consequences for millions of people living in dire humanitarian emergencies and extreme poverty.”
As the situation develops, the international community watches closely and is concerned about the potential impacts on humanitarian aid and global development initiatives.
