Trump Administration Cancels 83% of USAID Programs, Folding Remaining Efforts into State Department
In a controversial and sweeping move, the Trump administration has announced the cancellation of 83% of programs run by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), marking a dramatic shift in American foreign aid policy. The decision, revealed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday, signals the effective dismantlement of the nation’s leading humanitarian agency — a move that has sparked both outrage and praise across political and international circles.
The remaining 1,000 USAID programs will be transferred under the control of the State Department, capping off what critics call an “ideologically driven” overhaul of the U.S. foreign aid apparatus.
Here’s everything you need to know about the cancellation of thousands of USAID contracts, the administration’s rationale, and what this means for global development and U.S. foreign policy moving forward.
USAID’s Sudden Collapse: What Happened?
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Marco Rubio announced that after a 6-week review, the administration decided to cut the vast majority of USAID programs.
“After a 6 week review we are officially cancelling 83% of the programs at USAID,” Rubio stated from his personal account, rather than his official Secretary of State profile.
Rubio claimed the administration had identified 5,200 contracts that spent tens of billions of dollars on initiatives that he argued either failed to serve or actively harmed U.S. national interests. However, he did not provide concrete examples or data to support these claims, leaving many experts questioning the validity of the review process.
The cancellation comes alongside a broader effort by the Trump administration — supported by figures like Elon Musk — to slash federal spending and centralize control over foreign aid within the State Department.
ABC12
The End of an Era for USAI
Founded in 1961, USAID has been a cornerstone of American soft power, delivering humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and development aid across the globe. From funding HIV prevention programs in Africa to supporting women’s education in Afghanistan, USAID has long been a symbol of the U.S.’s commitment to global stability and human rights.
By canceling the bulk of USAID’s contracts, the administration is effectively gutting America’s ability to engage in humanitarian diplomacy. This is especially significant given the timing — with ongoing global crises like the war in Ukraine, famine in East Africa, and climate disasters disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.
“The impact of this decision will be catastrophic,” said a senior USAID official who spoke on condition of anonymity. “We’re talking about millions of people losing access to life-saving healthcare, food aid, and educational resources.”
The Trump administration has long been critical of USAID, with President Trump himself labeling it a “wasteful bureaucracy” that funds “corrupt foreign governments” at the expense of American taxpayers. This sentiment has been echoed by Elon Musk, who has increasingly influenced federal policy through his backing of the DOGE office — a controversial body that has pushed aggressive cost-cutting measures across government agencies.
Rubio claimed that the canceled USAID programs failed to align with U.S. strategic priorities and that consolidating aid efforts under the State Department would lead to more efficient spending.
“In consultation with Congress, we intend for the remaining 18% of programs we are keeping (approximately 1000) to now be administered more effectively under the State Department,” Rubio said.
However, critics argue that the move is less about efficiency and more about ideological control, with the administration eager to strip foreign aid of its humanitarian focus and reframe it purely as a tool of geopolitical influence.
The Global Fallout: What Happens Next?
The collapse of USAID will reverberate across the globe. Organizations that rely on USAID funding — from small local NGOs to large international organizations — are now facing sudden budget shortfalls, forcing them to shut down critical programs.
Some of the most affected areas include:
Global Health Programs:HIV/AIDS prevention, malaria eradication, and maternal health initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa are at risk.
Humanitarian Aid: Emergency relief efforts in conflict zones and disaster-stricken regions will face severe funding gaps.
Democracy Promotion: Programs supporting elections, press freedom, and civil society in developing nations could be dismantled, reducing U.S. influence abroad.
Several nonprofit groups have already sounded the alarm, warning that the decision could result in thousands of preventable deaths and undermine decades of progress in global development.
“The damage this will do is unimaginable,” said Sarah Martinez, executive director of the Global Health Alliance. “Without USAID, entire healthcare systems will collapse. People will die.”
Political Reactions: Divided Opinions
Predictably, the decision has split Washington.
Democrats have condemned the move as reckless and inhumane, with Senator Bernie Sanders calling it “one of the most shameful foreign policy decisions in American history.”
Meanwhile, Republicans have praised the cuts, framing them as a victory for fiscal responsibility and a necessary step toward refocusing U.S. foreign policy on core national interests.
“America should not be funding corrupt governments or wasting money on ineffective programs,” said Senator Josh Hawley. “This is a win for the American taxpayer.”
Yahoo
What Does This Mean for USAID’s Future
Although USAID will technically continue to exist under the State Department, experts argue the agency’s identity as an independent humanitarian organization is effectively over. The Trump administration‘s actions have stripped the agency of its autonomy, turning it into a political tool rather than a neutral force for global good.
“This is the death of USAID as we know it,” said Professor Laura Bennett, an expert in U.S. foreign aid policy. “Even if a future administration tries to rebuild it, the damage to America’s global reputation will take decades to repair.”
For now, the world watches as the lights dim on USAID, leaving millions of vulnerable people wondering where their next meal, medicine, or chance at a better future will come from.
The cancellation of 83% of USAID programs is more than just a policy shift — it’s a fundamental redefinition of America’s role on the global stage. Whether this move truly serves U.S. national interests or permanently damages America’s humanitarian legacy remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the world’s most vulnerable populations will bear the brunt of this decision, paying the ultimate price for a political gamble.
Here’s a fresh, SEO-optimized article with a focus on USAID, expanding on the new details and removing repeated facts. Let me know if you’d like me to tweak anything!
USAID in Crisis: Trump Administration’s Cuts Spark Global Humanitarian Fallout
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), long considered America’s flagship humanitarian organization, is facing a historic dismantling under the Trump administration. After months of internal reviews and public clashes, the administration has terminated nearly 5,800 USAID awards, slashing billions of dollars in foreign aid and triggering shockwaves across global development efforts.
The cuts come after Secretary of State Marco Rubio and influential tech mogul Elon Musk pushed for USAID programs to be absorbed into the State Department — a controversial move that critics say prioritizes politics over human lives.
Elon Musk Weighs In on USAID’s Collapse
Following the public announcement of the cuts, Musk, who had reportedly clashed with Rubio over the timeline of the changes, supported the decision with a blunt response.
“Tough, but necessary,” Musk posted on X (formerly Twitter).
He went on to say:
“Good working with you. The important parts of USAID should always have been with Dept of State.”
Musk had been a vocal critic of USAID, even going so far as to say the agency should be “fed into a woodchipper” due to what he described as rampant inefficiency and misuse of funds.
His influence, through the DOGE office, has been pivotal in pushing cost-cutting measures across the federal government, and his alignment with the administration has only accelerated the agency’s downfall.
A Bloodbath for Global Humanitarian Aid
The scale of the cuts has stunned experts and humanitarian organizations alike. In a February court filing, the administration admitted that 5,800 USAID contracts had been canceled, despite some being previously deemed “lifesaving” and granted exemptions from earlier aid freezes.
“It’s a bloodbath,” said one USAID official, speaking anonymously to avoid retaliation. “These cuts aren’t just about policy. They’re about people — millions of people who relied on this aid for survival.”
From malaria treatments in Africa to disaster relief in Southeast Asia, the sudden termination of funding has left critical programs scrambling to survive. Even some internal agency staff were reportedly blindsided, with confusion spreading through both USAID and the State Department as the terminations were rolled out.
Although there were reports that a small number of contracts had been quietly restored, the vast majority of terminated awards remain in limbo, leaving communities around the world without vital support.
The Legal Battle Over USAID’s Future
The administration’s actions have sparked multiple court challenges. Nonprofits, contractors, and humanitarian groups have fought back, arguing that the cuts violate U.S. law and breach existing contracts.
A federal judge allowed the administration to proceed with placing staff on leave and canceling contracts, but another judge ruled that the government must pay nearly $2 billion in unpaid fees to organizations that had already delivered humanitarian services.
The Supreme Court upheld the decision to pay the outstanding funds, but it did not provide a timeline for the payouts — leaving many nonprofits in financial distress as they await compensation.
“We’re owed millions, and we have no idea when or if we’ll see that money,” said the director of a Middle East-based aid group. “Meanwhile, people are dying.”
Rubio’s Role in the USAID Overhaul
In early February, Marco Rubio revealed that he was acting USAID administrator and had directed his deputy, Pete Marocco, to begin a review of the agency’s structure. In a letter to Congress, Rubio stated:
“USAID may move, reorganize, and integrate certain missions, bureaus, and offices into the Department of State, and the remainder of the Agency may be abolished consistent with applicable law.”
He claimed that each terminated award had been reviewed individually, with decisions made based on whether the program aligned with U.S. national interests.
However, critics argue that the review process was rushed and lacked transparency, with some suggesting that political motivations, rather than strategic interests, drove the cuts.
The Global Impact of USAID’s Collapse
The fallout from USAID’s disintegration is already being felt worldwide. The agency, which had dispensed billions of dollars annually to alleviate poverty, combat disease, and promote democracy, now stands as a shadow of its former self.
Key areas impacted include:
Global Health: Programs tackling HIV/AIDS, malaria, and childhood vaccinations are at risk of shutting down, threatening decades of public health progress.
Disaster Relief: Emergency aid to regions hit by natural disasters and conflicts has been severely reduced, leaving vulnerable populations exposed.
Democracy and Development: Efforts to support independent media, civil society, and election monitoring have stalled, weakening democratic institutions in fragile states.
Many experts warn that the loss of USAID’s presence will create a vacuum that China, Russia, and other geopolitical rivals may rush to fill, undermining U.S. influence abroad.
“This is a gift to authoritarian regimes,” said Laura McKinney, a foreign policy analyst. “Without USAID, America loses a key tool of soft power.”
The Road Ahead: Can USAID Be Saved
With the majority of USAID’s programs terminated and its operations slowly being folded into the State Department, the future of the agency remains uncertain. While legal battles continue and humanitarian groups plead for reinstated funding, the damage to global development efforts is undeniable.
Whether a future administration will attempt to rebuild USAID or chart a new course for U.S. foreign aid remains to be seen. But for now, the agency that once symbolized America’s humanitarian commitment to the world stands on the brink of extinction — its legacy tarnished by political infighting and ideological battles.
