Protesters gathered in solidarity outside USAID’s headquarters in Washington, DC, as workers retrieved their personal belongings on February 27. [Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo]
In an era of significant political shifts, the Trump administration has formally notified Congress of its intentions to revamp the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This decision arises amidst various constitutional challenges, as President Donald Trump grapples with criticism over his previous efforts to deconstruct the agency. USAID, a creation of congressional legislation, is currently under scrutiny.
On a brisk Friday morning, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement suggesting that the administration plans to merge USAID’s independent functions with the Department of State, thus bringing it under executive supervision. “We’re aligning our foreign assistance programs to directly benefit Americans,” Rubio commented on social media. “Essential lifesaving programs continue, and we’re making strategic investments to fortify both our partners and our nation.”
However, not everyone sees eye to eye with Rubio’s reassurances. Critics argue that this move encroaches on executive boundaries and undermines independent agencies that stray from the administration’s priorities. In a news briefing, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce sought to clarify the path forward.
Bruce noted, “Officials have informed Congress of our plan to reorganize, realigning specific USAID functions to our department by July 1, 2025. We will halt other USAID functions that don’t align with our administrative objectives.” Responding to concerns about the nation’s capacity to handle international crises, Bruce stressed confidence: “Our ability to respond—be it for Friday’s earthquakes in Myanmar and Thailand—remains unaffected.”
Established by Congress in 1961, USAID’s mission has long been to provide crucial international support. Until curtailment during Trump’s second term, USAID was a substantial distributor of foreign aid worldwide—a responsibility halved since the administration’s decision to freeze assistance.
In 2023, the United States allocated approximately $72 billion in foreign aid. USAID, fascinatingly, managed half of that budget. Yet, recent disclosures by Rubio revealed that 83% of USAID’s contracts now stand annulled, sparking further dialogue on the future of American foreign aid.
Continued Workforce Reductions at USAID
The agency faces substantial workforce reductions, a trend perpetuated last Friday. U.S. media sources obtained a memo signaling widespread job eliminations, barring those mandated by law. In her briefing, Bruce was asked about the total scope of these changes.
“With major changes, disruptions are inevitable,” Bruce remarked, acknowledging layoffs as anticipated. “We’ve awaited this arrival. As for specifics on foreign service roles, we’re still uncertain about total impacts.” She continued, “This is, essentially, a restructuring effort. And like any such process, disruptions from Secretary Rubio downward are expected. Our commitment is to safeguard USAID staff and ensure ongoing aid programs remain operational.”
The layoffs form part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration to root out perceived “waste, fraud, and abuse,” a project driven by Elon Musk, the notable entrepreneur. Earlier this year, USAID experienced substantial cutbacks with about 1,600 employees dismissed. Only a few managed to retain their positions, albeit temporarily, mainly those stationed internationally.
Hampered further, its Washington, DC, base was shuttered while employees were briefly allowed back inside to retrieve belongings. An occurrence that mirrored a dystopian scene out of a modern-day office drama.
Intriguingly, a recent ruling from a federal judge posed a formidable barrier to Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The court proclaimed that dismantling USAID potentially violated constitutional tenets by stripping Congress of its decision-making power. Despite issuing a temporary halt on cuts, clarity lacked on whether this fully shielded actions undertaken by the Secretary of State.
As of Friday afternoon, a federal appeals court lifted the injunction, granting DOGE leeway to carry on with its downsizing. Musk, never shy from controversy, previously likened his involvement to “feeding USAID into the wood chipper.”
Such restructuring invites reflective inquiry into the role of government agencies and how much of their autonomy is consensus-driven versus administratively directed. Ultimately, it bids a somber farewell to a chapter while turning the page to uncertainty, wrapped in policy and promises.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.
