Historic Cuts to USAID Programs

The Trump administration has made significant cuts to USAID, eliminating over 80% of its programs, which amounts to more than 5,000 initiatives. This decision, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, signals a major shift away from the United States’ foreign aid strategy, with the remaining programs set to be transferred to the State Department. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers and aid organizations, claim the cuts are illegal, arguing that only Congress has the authority to determine funding allocations. Rubio justified the cuts by stating that many foreign aid programs have been deemed wasteful or counterproductive to U.S. interests, highlighting the influence of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency in this process.