- The Trump administration is dissolving USAID and integrating it fully under the State Department, to streamline foreign aid and align it with U.S. strategic interests.
- Over 4,650 USAID employees will be laid off in phases, with remaining staff given the option to apply for State Department roles. The move follows an audit canceling 80 percent of USAID’s global programs (5,200 out of 6,200).
- The administration cited wasteful projects (e.g., a $1.5M diversity initiative in Serbia) as justification, arguing USAID had strayed from its mission. Essential aid will continue, but "frivolous" spending will end.
- Critics argue dismantling USAID may require congressional approval, but a recent court ruling temporarily upheld the administration’s authority to proceed with restructuring.
- The shift reflects a policy prioritizing national security and economic interests over unchecked global aid, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasizing accountability in spending.
The U.S. Department of State will fully absorb the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), effectively dismantling its six-decade role as an independent foreign aid agency.
According to an internal memo obtained by Fox News, this decision marks the culmination of a strategic review led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was appointed acting USAID administrator in February. The move is part of a broader government efficiency initiative spearheaded by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has targeted wasteful spending across federal agencies.
By July 1, the State Department will assume control of USAID's remaining functions. The agency's iconic seal may soon be removed from its Washington, D.C., headquarters as it fades into history.
For years, USAID operated as a semi-autonomous body, distributing billions in taxpayer-funded aid to developing nations. But critics – including top administration officials – argued that the agency had strayed from its original mission. They cited the agency funding questionable projects like a $1.5 million diversity initiative in Serbia and a $70,000 "DEI-themed musical" in Ireland.
Now, under the State Department's direct control, foreign aid will be streamlined – with a laser focus on programs that directly benefit U.S. strategic interests. The transition will also lead to massive personnel cuts
More than 4,650 USAID employees will be laid off in phases, with separation notices already being issued. Those wishing to stay in government service may apply for new roles at the State Department, though no guarantees have been made.
USAID's closure a long time coming
This isn't just a bureaucratic reshuffle; it's a fundamental realignment of how America engages with the world. Rubio made it clear that USAID had become bloated and misaligned with U.S. priorities. Following a six-week audit, the State Department announced it would cancel more than 80 percent of USAID's programs—roughly 5,200 out of 6,200 projects worldwide. (Related: Over 80% of USAID programs CANCELED, the rest transferred to State Department.)
The secretary of state and former senator for Florida emphasized that the administration isn't abandoning foreign aid altogether. Instead, it is ensuring that every dollar spent serves American interests first. Essential life-saving programs will continue, but frivolous spending will not.
The decision to dissolve USAID has already sparked backlash from critics who claim it will weaken U.S. global influence. Some legal experts argue that completely dismantling a federal agency may require congressional approval, setting the stage for potential court battles.
However, a recent federal appeals court ruling has given the administration a temporary victory, overturning a lower court's block on DOGE's restructuring efforts. Judge A. Marvin Quattlebaum Jr. wrote that while the administration's actions are "unconventional," they are not necessarily unconstitutional.
The era of unchecked foreign aid spending is over. Under Rubio and President Donald Trump, America's foreign assistance will no longer be a blank check for global goodwill. it will be a tool for advancing national security, economic interests and alliances that truly matter.
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Watch this clip of President Donald Trump calling out USAID as a "fraud."
This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.
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