Washington, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Monday that 83% of USAID programs will be canceled, aligning with President Donald Trump’s push to cut foreign aid under his “America First” policy.
“The 5,200 contracts now canceled have 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 posted on social media platform X.
USAID, which provides humanitarian aid in over 120 countries, will see most of its work dismantled, with critics warning that the cuts could leave millions vulnerable. The remaining 1,000 programs will be transferred to the State Department, further reducing USAID’s role.
President Trump, who previously called for USAID’s shutdown, signed an executive order in January to freeze all foreign aid, leading to a review of expenditures.
Elon Musk, leading the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), backed the decision, calling the cuts “tough, but necessary.”
The move has sparked backlash, with hundreds of U.S. diplomats protesting the decision, arguing that foreign aid helps promote stability and global health, which ultimately serves U.S. interests.