The overhaul has already drawn pushback from international development groups and Democratic lawmakers, who warn that deep cuts could undermine US influence abroad.
US President Donald Trump has placed USAID under heightened scrutiny, appointing Secretary of State Marco Rubio as its Acting Administrator while ordering a sweeping review of its foreign aid programs.
The administration argues that the agency, long tasked with promoting international development and humanitarian aid, has strayed from its mission and failed to align with Trump’s America First doctrine.
A statement from the State Department described the move as an “interim step” toward gaining better control over USAID’s activities, emphasizing that a reorganization could follow.
Rubio has already notified Congress of the review, signaling potential cuts or redirections of U.S. foreign assistance.
Trump, who has frequently criticized foreign aid, took to Truth Social to denounce USAID as a “TOTAL DISASTER,” accusing it of funding programs that have “NOTHING to do with our great country’s interests.” He declared that the agency had been “hijacked by the globalist elite” and vowed to stop what he called “handouts to countries that don’t respect us.”
The move reflects a broader effort by the administration to recalibrate U.S. foreign aid, particularly targeting initiatives that conservatives have long argued serve ideological rather than strategic purposes.
During his first term, Trump sought to slash USAID’s budget and restrict funding for global initiatives he viewed as contrary to his agenda, including programs supporting climate action and reproductive health services.
His renewed push to reshape the agency suggests a return to those efforts.
Rubio, a long-time advocate for an assertive U.S. foreign policy, has yet to lay out specific plans, but his appointment signals a shift in USAID’s priorities.
The Florida senator has previously championed hardline stances on China and Cuba, areas where the administration could seek to redirect funding.
The review process is expected to assess which programs align with the administration’s foreign policy and which could be scaled back or eliminated.
The overhaul has already drawn pushback from international development groups and Democratic lawmakers, who warn that deep cuts could undermine US influence abroad.
Critics argue that USAID’s work in global health, disaster relief, and democracy promotion serves long-term American interests, even when the benefits are not immediately visible.
Some have also raised concerns that the review process could be politicized, leading to funding decisions driven by ideology rather than strategy.
As the administration moves forward with its review, allies and aid recipients are watching closely for signs of a major shift in US foreign assistance.
While Trump has framed the overhaul as a necessary correction, the coming months will determine whether USAID undergoes targeted reforms or a fundamental transformation.
