Slate News What Next | DOGE V. USAID
Feb 5, 2025
Franco Ordoñez, a White House correspondent for NPR, and Fred Kaplan, Slate’s war stories correspondent, dive into the turmoil surrounding USAID amid rising tensions with DOGE, linked to Elon Musk. They explore the legal implications of USAID's abrupt changes and its critical humanitarian missions. The conversation touches on the agency's historical role in diplomacy, the chaos from political pressures, and the potential impact of funding cuts on global stability. The complexities of USAID's dual mission of aid versus political agenda are scrutinized, revealing a delicate balance.
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USAID's Role and Budget
- USAID provides global aid and advances U.S. interests.
- It's a small part of the federal budget (0.5%).
USAID Targeting
- USAID's small budget raises questions about its targeting by the administration.
- Republicans criticize it, while Democrats support its autonomy.
Escalation at USAID
- Over the weekend, USAID employees became concerned about reports of security officials being put on leave.
- Elon Musk called USAID a criminal organization and said it's time for it to die.