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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.

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President Donald Trump waves to the media as he walks on South Lawn of the White House, in Washington, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Lane Pollack, center, of Rockville, Md., a senior learning advisor at USAID for 14 years, is consoled by a co-worker after having 15 minutes to clear out her belongings from the USAID headquarters, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
A view shows the Ronald Reagan Building after laid-off USAID workers cleared out their desks and collected personal belongings, during a sendoff in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 27, 2025.

Overview

  • 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.