Will USAID remain operational? Trump has made a decision regarding the agency that provided assistance to Ukraine.
U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed Marco Rubio as Secretary of State and the administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Rubio informed Congress that a review of USAID's foreign aid activities is currently underway, with the aim of potential reorganization.
This information is reported on the State Department's website. It is noted that Rubio's appointment is an interim step to gain control and better understanding of the agency's operations.
"USAID has long strayed from its original mission of responsibly promoting American interests abroad, and it is quite clear that a significant portion of USAID funding does not align with the core national interests of the United States," the statement reads.
It is emphasized that, in evaluating USAID's activities, the State Department will protect the interests of the American people and ensure that taxpayer funds are not wasted. The agency's work must adhere to Trump's principle of "America First."
Meanwhile, Democratic senators are attempting to influence Trump's decision. Specifically, Brian Schatz (Democrat) stated that he is imposing a complete ban on Trump's nominees for positions in the State Department. The reason for his decision is the disbandment and threat of closure of USAID, as reported by NBC News.
Schatz, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, stated that his action is a protest against the billionaire advisor to Trump, Elon Musk, who indicated that he and the president would close USAID. The Democrat emphasized that disbanding USAID is illegal and makes the U.S. less secure. Furthermore, the agency was established by federal law and funded by the U.S. Congress, so Trump and Musk cannot simply eliminate USAID without passing a law, Schatz noted.
What is USAID
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is the leading federal agency of the American executive branch responsible for providing overseas assistance. The agency's leadership – the administrator and their deputy – are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. Although they work closely with the State Department, they maintain a degree of independence in their operations.
USAID was officially established in November 1961 after President John Kennedy signed the relevant legislation. The agency had an extensive network of representations, including in most countries that emerged after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. In particular, its representation in the Russian Federation operated from 1992 to 2012.
In Ukraine, USAID's activities have focused on supporting the strategic directions of state development. Key areas of cooperation include economic advancement, democratic processes, governance, energy security, healthcare, and social policy. Throughout its operation, the agency has invested billions of dollars into Ukrainian projects.
Upon becoming president, Trump ordered the suspension of USAID assistance to other countries, including Ukraine. In early February, attempts to access the program's website resulted in an unavailability message.
As reported by "Telegraph," the head of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Elon Musk accused USAID of assisting in research on "biological weapons." This pertains to assistance to the non-profit organization EcoHealth Alliance.