Trump Administration Pushes Controversial Overhaul of USAID
A federal judge has temporarily blocked further dismantling of USAID, but the administration continues efforts to restructure and rename the agency under the State Department.
- The Trump administration plans to rename USAID as the U.S. Agency for International Humanitarian Assistance (IHA) and place it under the Secretary of State's authority.
- A federal judge ruled that efforts to dismantle USAID likely violated the Constitution, halting further actions, though the administration continues to push its restructuring agenda.
- The proposed overhaul includes merging USAID with other agencies, focusing on U.S. geopolitical interests, and incorporating blockchain technology for aid distribution transparency.
- USAID has been significantly reduced, with 83% of its programs terminated and its workforce cut to fewer than 300 employees from 10,000.
- Critics warn that the restructuring has disrupted global humanitarian efforts, while proponents argue it aligns foreign aid with U.S. strategic priorities.