U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has assumed the role of acting administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), amidst ongoing discussions about potentially reorganizing the agency. In a statement made on February 3 during his visit to El Salvador, Rubio emphasized that while many of USAID’s functions will continue, they will be aligned with U.S. foreign policy and national interests. He criticized the agency for historically operating in ways that did not reflect these priorities, stating, “Every dollar we spend and every program we fund will align with U.S. national interests.”
Rubio’s comments come after reports of a potential move to close USAID as part of government spending cuts under President Donald Trump’s administration. Critics, including humanitarian organizations, have warned that such a decision could have disastrous consequences.
USAID workers have reportedly been informed that the agency’s Washington D.C. office will be closed on February 3 due to leadership decisions. In response, U.S. media outlets like CNN and Associated Press have confirmed that USAID’s future is uncertain. Rumors suggest that USAID could be folded into the State Department, with significant cuts to its workforce. Despite this, the agency would remain an entity focused on humanitarian aid.
The fate of USAID remains in limbo, with Trump claiming the agency was led by a “group of radical lunatics,” and promising a decision soon.
