The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has officially terminated more than 80% of its programs following a six-week review, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced.
The decision, (part of the Trump administration’s “America First” policy) aims to realign foreign aid spending with U.S. interests. Rubio stated on X that the terminated programs “spent tens of billions in ways that did not serve or harmed U.S. interests.”
The remaining 18% of USAID programs will now be administered by the State Department, which Rubio claims will ensure more effective management. However, humanitarian organizations worldwide have warned that the move could have devastating consequences, endangering lives and disrupting critical aid efforts.
Trump Administration’s “America First” Approach Drives USAID Overhaul
The Trump administration has consistently emphasized its commitment to aligning overseas spending with national priorities. Shortly after President Trump’s return to the White House on January 20, thousands of USAID employees were placed on leave, and overseas staff were recalled.
An executive order signed on Trump’s first day froze foreign assistance funding and initiated a review of USAID’s operations, led by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge).
The review resulted in the cancellation of thousands of development contracts and the termination of thousands of employees. Rubio confirmed that approximately 5,200 of USAID’s 6,200 programs have been officially ended, with the remaining 1,000 programs transitioning to State Department oversight.
The termination of USAID programs has already begun to impact vulnerable populations worldwide. In Sudan, the freeze on humanitarian assistance has forced the closure of over 1,100 communal kitchens, leaving nearly two million people without access to food amid the country’s ongoing civil war.
In Oman, dozens of Afghan women who fled the Taliban regime to pursue higher education now face deportation after their USAID-funded scholarships were abruptly canceled. Similarly, India’s first medical clinic for transgender individuals, which operated in three cities, shut down after U.S. foreign aid was halted.
Legal Challenges and Criticism from Democrats
Democrats and humanitarian organizations have criticized the shutdown of USAID programs as illegal, arguing that Congress authorized the funding for these initiatives. Several lawsuits have been filed in response to the administration’s actions, challenging the legality of the program terminations.
Critics argue that the decision undermines decades of U.S. leadership in global development and humanitarian efforts. USAID programs have historically addressed critical issues such as famine detection, polio vaccinations, and emergency food distribution in conflict zones.
Why It Matters
The termination of USAID programs has far-reaching implications for global development and humanitarian efforts. From Sudan to India, the loss of U.S. funding has disrupted essential services and left millions of people in precarious situations. Humanitarian organizations are calling for urgent action to address the gaps left by the program cuts.
