Massive USAID cuts mark the dismantling of US humanitarian agency
The Trump administration has announced the elimination of 83% of programs under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), shifting the remainder to the State Department, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Monday (March 10).
This move marks the rapid dismantling of the US’ independent humanitarian agency, which has long been a target of both President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk. The remaining 1,000 USAID programs will now be placed under State Department oversight.
Rubio defends USAID cuts
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Rubio stated:
“After a 6-week review, we are officially canceling 83% of the programs at USAID. The 5,200 contracts that are now canceled spent tens of billions of dollars in ways that did not serve, (and in some cases even harmed), the core national interests of the United States.”
Rubio further emphasized:
“In consultation with Congress, we intend for the remaining 18% of programs (approximately 1,000) to now be administered more effectively under the State Department. Thank you to DOGE and our hardworking staff who worked very long hours to achieve this overdue and historic reform.”
DOGE, a Musk-backed office, has been instrumental in placing officials in key government roles and significantly reducing federal spending.
Musk reacts to the announcement
Elon Musk, who previously clashed with Rubio, responded to the news by saying:
“Tough, but necessary.”
Musk added:
“Good working with you. The important parts of USAID should always have been with Dept of State.”
Musk has long been a harsh critic of USAID, once suggesting that the agency should be “fed into a woodchipper.”
Legal challenges and Supreme Court ruling
A court filing in late February revealed that the Trump administration had already canceled nearly 5,800 USAID awards. The filing stated that:
“Rubio made a final decision with respect to each award, on an individualized basis, affirmatively electing to either retain the award or terminate it pursuant to the terms of the instrument or independent legal authority as inconsistent with the national interests and foreign policy of the United States.”
The administration’s decision to freeze foreign aid payments and dismantle USAID has sparked legal opposition.
- A federal judge permitted the government to proceed with staff terminations and suspensions.
- However, another judge ruled that the administration must pay nearly $2 billion in outstanding fees for humanitarian work.
- The Supreme Court upheld this ruling last week, though it did not specify when the payments would be made.
USAID’s historic role and impact
USAID has historically distributed billions of dollars annually to combat poverty, address diseases, and respond to crises such as famines and natural disasters. The agency has also supported democracy-building initiatives, independent media, and social development projects.
The elimination of 83% of its programs signals a major shift in US foreign aid policy under Trump’s second term.
