Major Overhaul: 83% of USAID Programs Cut Under Trump Administration

In a stunning revelation, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Monday that the Trump administration has completed a sweeping six-week overhaul of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). An astonishing 83% of the agency's programs have been eliminated, leaving only a marginal 18% to continue under the State Department's management.

This radical shift marks a significant departure from decades of U.S. foreign aid policies. The announcement, made via Rubio's social media platform X, coincides with a broader campaign by Trump political appointees to refocus U.S. foreign assistance toward a more national interest-centric framework. This move has been controversially supported by figures like Elon Musk, who has been involved with the Department of Government Efficiency.

In his post, Rubio expressed gratitude to the dedicated staff behind this "overdue and historic reform," reflecting a growing sentiment among Republican leaders to re-evaluate how taxpayer dollars are spent on foreign assistance. President Trump's executive order issued on January 20 froze foreign assistance funding and initiated a thorough review of the substantial $50 billion U.S. foreign aid budget. Trump criticized much of this aid as wasteful, claiming it often promoted a liberal agenda rather than U.S. interests.

According to Rubio, approximately 5,200 of USAID’s 6,200 programs have now been terminated, with many of these programs alleged to have harmed rather than served U.S. national interests. However, the lack of transparency regarding which programs were spared has raised questions and concerns among aid advocates. These advocates argue that the pace and nature of these cuts seem rushed and inadequately justified, potentially jeopardizing critical humanitarian assistance.

Despite promises to protect essential programs, reports have surfaced that even some life-saving initiatives— including emergency nutritional support for vulnerable children and drinking water supplies for those displaced by conflict in Sudan— have received termination notices. This has ignited a backlash from Democratic lawmakers and humanitarian organizations, who contend that the dismantling of these programs is both illegal and harmful.

The drastic reduction in USAID's operations contrasts sharply with longstanding views that argue foreign aid plays a vital role in stabilizing regions, fostering alliances, and bolstering global goodwill, all of which are deemed essential for U.S. national security.

Legal battles have erupted as multiple lawsuits contest the rapid cessation of these programs, with claims that the administration has deprived contracted organizations of billions of dollars. Meanwhile, many USAID employees and contractors, left stranded overseas, are anxiously awaiting their promised compensation and return to the U.S.

As the Trump administration continues to reshape U.S. foreign policy, the repercussions of this major shift in aid strategy could reshape not only America's global influence but also the lives of millions who rely on it for critical support. With an uncertain future ahead, the fate of U.S. international aid hangs in the balance, prompting widespread debates about its morality and efficacy.