In Washington, on Monday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that the Trump administration concluded a sweeping six-week review of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), resulting in the elimination of 83% of its programs. This announcement comes as the administration plans to transfer the remaining aid operations to the State Department.
Shortly thereafter, a federal judge ruled that President Donald Trump exceeded his powers by halting most foreign assistance. However, the judge did not mandate the administration to reinstate the thousands of program contracts that had been terminated. Rubio issued a statement through social media, commending the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and staff for their efforts in the reform of foreign aid.
President Trump had issued an executive order in January to freeze foreign aid funding and review all U.S. development activities abroad, criticizing many of these programs as wasteful and ideologically driven. Rubio’s post on Monday confirmed the review’s conclusion, resulting in the cancellation of about 5,200 USAID programs. He stated that these programs did not align with or, in some cases, countered U.S. national interests.
According to Rubio, roughly 1,000 remaining programs will be transitioned under the State Department’s jurisdiction. Critics, including Democratic legislators, argue that such decisions should involve Congress, which constitutionally controls budget appropriations.
In his legal opinion, Judge Amir H. Ali emphasized that the constitutional authority to allocate foreign aid funds belongs to Congress, not the President. While Ali’s ruling criticized the administration’s use of approximately $60 billion in foreign aid appropriations, he refrained from ordering the resumption of canceled contracts. He did, however, mandate that pending payments to aid groups and businesses be completed promptly, at a rate of at least 300 payments daily.
The Supreme Court had previously declined to hear the administration’s appeal regarding this issue. Supporters of USAID expressed concerns that drastic cuts hindered clarity on which international efforts were still supported by the Trump administration.
There is a perception among some that the administration appears to lack support for democracy, civil society, non-governmental organization programs, and even health or emergency response initiatives abroad. Former USAID administrator Andrew Natsios criticized the lack of transparency regarding which programs were maintained. Many vital aid projects, including those alleviating child malnutrition and providing clean water to refugee camps, hang in uncertainty or have been terminated.
Republicans have advocated for a more stringent interpretation of U.S. national interests in foreign aid. The State Department had earlier communicated intentions to cease over 90% of USAID programs, conflicting with Rubio’s slightly lower reported percentages. This shift opposed longstanding policies where foreign aid served to fortify national security, stabilize regional conflicts, and foster international goodwill.
The aftermath of the executive order saw significant disruption, particularly led by Pete Marocco and personnel associated with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, with widespread job termination and shutdowns in vital services like disease control and emergency relief. Numerous USAID employees and related contractors, now jobless and stranded, await overdue payments and logistical support to return stateside.
The Trump administration notified overseas staff to return by early April should they wish to receive government-paid relocation, prompting concerns over insufficient time for significant personal and financial adjustments. Within Washington, conflicting directives among Rubio, Musk, and Marocco amidst these cuts have generated confusion regarding leadership and interdepartmental harmony.
Despite this, Musk publicly echoed support for Rubio’s decisions, signifying cohesive efforts among those involved in overseeing the administrative changes.