Shafaq News/ US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmedthat the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will beshut down by July 2025, with its remaining operations integrated into the StateDepartment’s diplomatic branch.
Secretary Rubio highlighted that while well-managed foreignaid can enhance national interests, secure borders, and strengthen alliances,USAID had strayed from its original mission. He criticized the agency for itshigh costs and limited benefits, and credited the US President Donald Trump forputting an end to what he deemed a fiscally irresponsible approach, stating, Thanksto Trump, this misguided and fiscally irresponsible era is now over.”
“We are concentrating aid efforts on what directly benefitsour nation and citizens,” Rubio announced, assuring that essential humanitarianprograms will continue, alongside targeted investments that benefit bothinternational partners and the US economy.
In a briefing, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruceexplained that the closure is part of a broader reorganization initiative.According to the plan, certain USAID functions will be realigned with the StateDepartment, while others will be discontinued for failing to align with theadministration’s priorities.
The decision has sparked significant backlash from bothDemocrats and some Republicans, who argue that dismantling USAID weakens USglobal influence and plays into the hands of rivals like China. Max Stier, CEOof the Partnership for Public Service, stressed that only Congress has theauthority to undo its own creations, calling the move a dangerous precedent.
Legal challenges are already underway. Recently, a federalappeals court lifted an injunction that temporarily blocked the closure ofUSAID, allowing the process to continue. Critics warn that shutting down theagency could lead to global humanitarian crises, particularly in the areas ofhealth and food security.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), the ranking member of the HouseAppropriations Committee, condemned the decision, stating, “Millions have gonehungry while American-grown food rotted in storage. Access to lifesavinghealthcare and education was wiped away in a matter of days.”
On his first day in the White House, Trump ordered a freezeon all US foreign aid for 90 days and a review of whether aid programs alignwith his administration's policy.
Some programs that were designated to provide food aid tochildren in developing countries, as well as to treat and prevent diseases suchas polio, malaria, tuberculosis, Ebola, and HIV/AIDS, are set to be canceled.
The USAID distributed nearly $43.8 billion in aid in 2023,and in total, the US government spent $71.9 billion on foreign aid,approximately 1.2% of the total federal budget.
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