President Donald Trump’s administration has officially ended the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) foreign assistance programs, with the State Department assuming control over any remaining initiatives that align with administration policies. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a prominent figure in the Trump administration, announced this transition on Tuesday, citing decades of inefficiency and a misalignment with U.S. national interests as the primary reasons for the shift. The decision to end USAID’s role in global development efforts marks the culmination of a broader effort to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse within the federal government, as part of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)’s mission.
Rubio emphasized that USAID had failed to meet development objectives since the end of the Cold War, often exacerbating instability and fostering anti-American sentiment globally. The State Department, which will now manage foreign aid programs starting July 1, is expected to focus on accountability, strategic planning, and increased efficiency. This move follows a six-week review conducted by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which led to the cancellation of over 80% of USAID’s programs—approximately 5,200 out of 6,200 initiatives. The cuts were justified as necessary to address inefficiencies and align with the administration’s priorities.
Critics, including Democrats and activists, have strongly condemned the Trump administration’s decision, arguing that the cuts could have significant negative consequences for global health and development. Actress Charlize Theron, a vocal critic of the administration’s policies, expressed her dismay at the potential impact on HIV and AIDS programs in her home country of South Africa. In a statement at the annual Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Program Block Party, Theron warned that the foreign aid cuts could lead to an