The first weeks of President Donald Trump’s second term have been intense. Supporters have cheered on Trump’s actions, while critics have denounced him. The Trump administration has continued with moves that are drastically different from those of former President Biden.
One of the most heated controversies surrounds USAID, a federal organization that delivers assistance and promotes U.S. interests in countries around the world. Trump, backed by Elon Musk, has worked to dismantle USAID in the past weeks, and continues to call for the entity’s weakening.
Why was USAID created?
NPR explains that USAID was established by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. He intended to separate American military and non-military assistance, and cited a moral and financial obligation for the US to help others.
USAID was also established with advantages in mind: establishing relations with other countries would help stop totalitarianism, and counter USSR influence during the Cold War (he was frustrated with the State Department’s slowness to work). It also counters China’s “belt and road” aid program, leading countries to partner with the US and not China.
What does the agency do?
While promoting US interests, USAID works to ensure public health, education, human rights, food security, and global warming responses. Its public health focus also works to prevent illness outbreaks from reaching the US. They respond to an average of 75 humanitarian crises a year.
NPR says that the top recipients of aid during the 2023 fiscal year were Ukraine and Gaza, as well as Ethiopia, Jordan, the DRC, Somalia, and Yemen.
What is USAID’s budget?
During the 2023 fiscal year, USAID had a $40 billion budget — making up less than 1% of the US’ total federal budget of $6.1 trillion, AP News says.
The agency makes up the bulk of international assistance, with about 10,000 employees. USAID’s programs are typically implemented by NGOs, international organizations, contractors, universities, and foreign governments.
What do Trump officials want to do?
Trump has sought to “reorganize” USAID. Generally, his stance has been against foreign aid and involvement, indicating a potential desire to weaken the organization. Trump claims that USAID leaders “turned out to be radical left lunatics” and said he intended to “make a decision” once a plethora of federal workers were removed.
Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) leader Elon Musk claims that USAID funding has launched “deadly” programs. Musk has sought to cut “wasteful spending” in the federal government.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who attempted to keep life-saving programs going, is supportive of USAID, but wants its money well spent, saying that the agency is “not charity”. Rubio has become an acting administrator, criticizing USAID for not responding to State Department policy directives; that said, he stated that “there are a lot of functions of USAID that are going to continue”.
It’s notable that, during Trump’s first administration, the White House and the Senate attempted to overhaul USAID.
What has the administration done so far?
Within the first week of his administration, Trump put a 90-day freeze on foreign assistance. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has tried to keep life-saving programs going, but confusion and fear are still freezing aid.
Then, Trump put senior officials on leave, laid off contractors, and took down the agency’s website.
In late February, a federal judge ordered Trump to pay over $1 billion to remedy the effects of Trump’s aid freeze. However, Trump’s mass firing of USAID staffers has been cleared by a U.S. District Judge.
Now, NPR says that Rubio is poised to “eliminate about 92% worth of the agency’s grants.” Pete Marocco, currently performing the duties of the deputy administrator of USAID, says that around 500 USAID grants remain, but did not specify which ones.
What do Americans think of foreign aid?
AP News writes that, as of March 2023, 6 in 10 US adults thought that too much is spent on foreign aid — including 9 in 10 Republicans, and 55% of Democrats. 6 in 10 adults also said that too little was used on domestic issues, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, and Social Security.
The Americans surveyed were asked what percentage of the federal budget went to aid programs; the average answer was 31%. However, the actual percentage is less than 1%.
Generally, Republicans want the State Department to have more control over USAID affairs, while Democrats want autonomy for the agency.
How will people be affected?
Though many people support cutting foreign aid, others have pointed out possible harrowing impacts. Aid to millions of people around the world, including children, is at risk because of USAID’s shutdown.
Even if foreign aid is only frozen for 90 days, health, care, and safety could be thrown into upheaval. USAID programs have saved lives — preventing more than 25 million deaths from HIV/AIDS alone. If the government dismantles USAID, agriculture, human rights causes, security, and education could stall for people who haven’t been given these resources.
Critics have discussed potential impacts on Americans, too. Cuts to USAID’s programs could, unfortunately, put American security and health at risk. US withdrawal means giving up geopolitical influence to China, Russia, and the Gulf States, and altering relations with countries we provide aid to.
What should our community do?
This subject is incredibly controversial. As a community focused on faith and service, we should prioritize respect for all in our conversations about USAID, the new administration, and other political struggles.
For those who are concerned about humanitarian issues in the wake of USAID’s dismantling, looking for reliable organizations to promote or donate to can help the causes of health and human rights.
We are a faith-based community; regardless of religious beliefs, we can work toward a common goal of promoting human dignity. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops encourages the government to “[s]upport families and children around the world by passing Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations now and ensuring the highest funding levels possible for international poverty- and hunger-reducing development and humanitarian assistance in Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026.” We can use these guiding principles to discern how to best help those in need amid this upheaval.
