Rubio announces end of USAID, State Department to take over foreign aid

The Trump administration has announced a major shift in foreign assistance programs, with USAID no longer sending aid across the globe. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that the State Department will now take over any programs that align with administration policies and advance American interests.

In a statement on Tuesday, Rubio criticized USAID for failing to ensure that the programs it funded supported America’s interests. He highlighted the agency’s inefficiency and lack of tangible results since the end of the Cold War. Rubio emphasized that the era of government-sanctioned inefficiency has come to an end under the Trump administration.

Starting on July 1, the State Department will officially cease to implement foreign assistance, with programs that align with administration policies being administered by the State Department instead. Rubio promised that these programs would be delivered with more accountability, strategy, and efficiency.

The decision to shift foreign assistance programs from USAID to the State Department comes after the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) undertook a review of USAID and cut more than 80% of its programs. This move was part of the Trump administration’s efforts to remove waste, fraud, and abuse from the federal government.

Critics of the administration, including Democrats and activists, have blasted the decision to trim foreign aid programs. Actress Charlize Theron spoke out against the cuts, particularly those affecting HIV and AIDS programs in South Africa. She also criticized recent immigration raids in Los Angeles and expressed concerns about the erosion of women’s rights and LGBTQ rights.

Despite the challenges and criticisms, Theron urged people to stand up, organize, protest, vote, and care for each other. She emphasized the importance of refusing to accept the current state of affairs and highlighted the power of collective action in bringing about positive change.

Overall, the shift in foreign assistance programs from USAID to the State Department represents a significant change in how the United States delivers aid to countries around the world. The Trump administration’s focus on prioritizing national interests and ensuring accountability and efficiency in foreign assistance programs will shape the future landscape of international aid.