First, it was the United States withdrawing from the World Health Organisation, and now the Trump administration plans to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Is the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) aiming to reduce wasteful spending or eradicate agencies providing crucial services to deprived countries?
Billionaire Elon Musk, in collaboration with The Trump administration, has announced plans to eradicate the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Why? Because he (Elon Musk) believes the agency is inefficient and mismanaged.
Since USAID’s inception in 1961, it has been a cornerstone of the United States foreign aid, distributing billions of dollars to support global health, food security, and disaster relief efforts. USAID’s programs have been instrumental in combating diseases like HIV/AIDS, providing emergency food assistance, and supporting refugees worldwide.
Chaos began when Trump ordered a freeze on most U.S. foreign aid hours after taking office, citing his “America First” policy. Musk, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), tasked with downsizing the federal government, has now set his sights on USAID, accusing it of being a left-wing agency unaccountable to the White House. He further described the agency as a “criminal organization” and a “viper’s nest of radical-left Marxists who hate America.” However, critics argue that Musk’s accusations lack evidence and are ideologically driven.
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The announcement has sparked protests from laid-off employees and contractors outside the USAID headquarters. Democratic lawmakers, including Senators Brian Schatz and Chris Van Hollen, have vowed to block confirmations of State Department nominees in protest, calling the move illegal and dangerous.
Democrats argued that eliminating USAID’s Independence requires an act of Congress; however, Trump told reporters on Monday that he did not believe that was necessary. He added that: “I love the concept (of USAID), but they turned out to be radical left lunatics.”
Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, told reports in San Salvador that he was now the acting head of USAID. He called the agency “completely unresponsive” and accused the staff there of being “unwilling to answer simple questions” about programs.
Rubio said: “If you go to mission after mission and embassy after embassy around the world, you will often find that in many cases, USAID is involved in programs that run counter to what we’re trying to do in our national strategy with that country or with that region. That cannot continue.”
However, According to Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat, Rubio’s notification was “wholly insufficient on the law and devoid of any rationale for the drastic, abrupt action the administration has taken, with no prior notice to Congress.”
Is this a genuine effort to streamline government operations or a power play to consolidate control?
Cutting off funding and shutting down USAID sets a dangerous precedent, undermining international aid efforts and leaving vulnerable populations at risk.
