In a shocking announcement on Monday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that a staggering 83% of programs funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) are being canceled. This decision comes as part of a larger overhaul of the agency, which has been under scrutiny by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by Elon Musk.
Rubio took to his personal X account to share the news, stating that after a six-week review, 5,200 contracts have been canceled due to their failure to serve the core national interests of the United States. He emphasized that these contracts, which amounted to tens of billions of dollars in spending, were not effective and in some cases, even harmful.
In a move to streamline operations, Rubio announced that the remaining 1,000 programs will be administered more effectively under the State Department. He expressed gratitude to the hardworking staff at DOGE for their efforts in achieving this historic reform.
The State Department had previously disclosed that 5,800 USAID contracts had been canceled, representing a 92% reduction. Rubio did not address the discrepancy in numbers during his announcement.
USAID has been in the crosshairs of DOGE, an agency established by President Trump through an executive order. DOGE’s mandate is to eliminate government waste, and it has touted significant savings through the elimination of various government programs. However, CBS News has uncovered errors in DOGE’s reporting, and its purges have faced legal challenges.
Established in 1961 by President Kennedy, USAID has played a crucial role in providing humanitarian aid to over 100 countries. Its initiatives include disaster relief, health and medical assistance, and emergency food programs. In the fiscal year 2023, USAID managed over $40 billion in appropriations, accounting for less than 1% of the federal budget.
President Trump and Elon Musk have been vocal critics of USAID, with Trump accusing the agency of being led by “radical left lunatics” and Musk deeming it “beyond repair.” Sources have indicated that Trump intends to merge USAID into the State Department, significantly reducing its staff and budget.
In early February, USAID faced turmoil as two top security officials were placed on administrative leave for denying DOGE access to classified information. Matt Hopson, who had been appointed as USAID chief of staff by Trump, resigned shortly after the incident. Following these events, the agency’s website went offline, and the majority of its staff were placed on administrative leave.
The upheaval at USAID continued as a deputy administrator was also placed on leave, further destabilizing the agency’s operations. The situation raised concerns about the future of USAID’s programs and the impact on its beneficiaries worldwide.
As the dust settles from these dramatic changes, the fate of USAID remains uncertain. The agency’s role in providing vital assistance to vulnerable populations hangs in the balance as it navigates a new chapter under the oversight of the State Department. The implications of these reforms on global humanitarian efforts and U.S. foreign policy are yet to be fully realized.
