Trump Administration Cuts 83% of USAID Programs, Citing National Interest

Secretary of State Rubio announces sweeping reductions, sparking warnings of global humanitarian and geopolitical consequences.

The Trump administration has terminated 83% of USAID programs, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio citing a review that deemed many projects misaligned with U.S. national interests.
Approximately 5,200 USAID contracts have been canceled, leaving only 18% of programs—around 1,000—under State Department oversight in consultation with Congress.
Critics warn the cuts could lead to severe humanitarian fallout, including millions of additional malaria cases, tens of thousands of deaths, and increased global instability.
The decision has been met with backlash from aid groups, former diplomats, and experts, who argue it undermines U.S. soft power and creates opportunities for geopolitical rivals like China.
The abrupt changes follow a broader freeze on foreign aid and have led to legal disputes and operational chaos within the agency.