Bush and Obama criticize Trump administration for shuttering USAID

Former President George W. Bush, former President Barack Obama, and U2 singer Bono came together to address the departure of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) employees on Monday. The trio expressed their dismay over the decision to shutter the agency, which has been marred by allegations of fraud and abuse. Obama referred to the move as a \”colossal mistake,\” emphasizing the importance of the work being done by USAID around the world.

USAID, an agency established under the Kennedy administration to provide economic aid to foreign nations, came under scrutiny earlier this year for alleged corruption and mismanagement. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) launched an investigation into the agency, with then-leader Elon Musk criticizing it as a \”viper’s nest of radical-left marxists who hate America.\” As a result of these findings, USAID was officially absorbed by the State Department.

During the video conference with departing USAID employees, Bush praised the agency for its work in rolling out an AIDS and HIV program that saved 25 million lives. He commended the staffers for their dedication and emphasized the importance of their efforts in promoting America’s interests globally. Bono, known for his activism, recited a poem reflecting on the closure of USAID and the potential consequences for millions of people worldwide.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also expressed her gratitude to foreign service officers for their work and dedication. She highlighted the impact of their efforts in saving lives and making the world a safer place. While Obama and Bush have largely refrained from publicly criticizing President Trump, they voiced their concerns over the decision to shutter USAID.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the State Department would now oversee USAID’s foreign assistance programs, citing a need for greater accountability and efficiency. He emphasized the importance of aligning foreign assistance programs with administration policies and advancing American interests. The move comes after DOGE identified significant waste and mismanagement within USAID as part of Trump’s efforts to streamline the federal government.

Trump, who has championed DOGE’s work in uncovering government waste, highlighted various examples of questionable spending at USAID during a speech before Congress. He reiterated the need to remove inefficiencies and ensure that taxpayer dollars are used effectively.

The closure of USAID marks a significant shift in foreign assistance programs, with a renewed focus on accountability and strategic alignment with national interests. While the decision has been met with criticism from some quarters, it reflects ongoing efforts to reform government agencies and eliminate waste and abuse.