WASHINGTON ( WNAM MONITORING ): The US State Department formally notified Congress of its intent to reorganize the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday.
The State Department will transfer certain functions to the agency while discontinuing others that do not align with the Trump administration’s priorities.
“Foreign assistance done right can advance our national interests, protect our borders, and strengthen our partnerships with key allies. Unfortunately, USAID strayed from its original mission long ago. As a result, the gains were too few and the costs were too high,” Rubio said in a statement.
“Thanks to President Trump, this misguided and fiscally irresponsible era is now over,” he said.
Rubio emphasized that US foreign assistance programs will now be refocused to directly benefit the nation and its citizens.
“We are continuing essential lifesaving programs and making strategic investments that strengthen our partners and our own country. This is yet another promise made and delivered to the American people,” he added.
The planned reorganization, set to take effect by July 1, will see USAID functions realigned under the State Department, with the elimination of remaining operations deemed inconsistent with the administration’s priorities.
The move follows sweeping efforts by President Donald Trump’s administration to dismantle USAID, including canceling most of its contracts, terminating thousands of positions and placing nearly all of its global workforce on administrative leave.
Rubio announced earlier this month that a six-week review of USAID led to the cancellation of 83% of its programs, citing misuse of funds and harm to US interests.
USAID, established in 1961, has historically played a central role in US humanitarian and development efforts worldwide.
In fiscal year 2023, USAID managed more than $40 billion in federal spending — less than 1% of the federal budget — funding aid projects in around 130 countries, including Ukraine, Ethiopia, Jordan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, South Sudan and Syria.
