PULSE POINTS
WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will cease implementing foreign assistance programs, with the State Department taking over such efforts under the Trump administration.
WHO WAS INVOLVED: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Trump administration, and USAID.
WHEN & WHERE: Announcement made Tuesday; changes effective July 1.
KEY QUOTE: “This era of government-sanctioned inefficiency has officially come to an end.” – Marco Rubio
IMPACT: Over 80 percent of USAID programs will be cut, with 5,200 of 6,200 programs canceled.
IN FULL
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will no longer implement foreign assistance programs, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Tuesday. Beginning July 1, the State Department will take over such programs under the Trump administration’s directive to prioritize America’s national interests.
Rubio stated that USAID has failed to meet development objectives for decades, often worsening instability and fostering anti-American sentiment. “Beyond creating a globe-spanning NGO industrial complex at taxpayer expense, USAID has little to show since the end of the Cold War,” Rubio remarked, adding: “This era of government-sanctioned inefficiency has officially come to an end.”
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) recently conducted a review of USAID’s operations, leading to the cancellation of over 80 percent of its programs. Rubio revealed that approximately 5,200 of USAID’s 6,200 programs will be terminated. Controversial funding decisions, such as a $1.5 million program to promote “diversity, equity, and inclusion” in Serbia and a $70,000 “DEI musical” in Ireland, contributed to the agency’s scrutiny.
Critics of the decision include Democrats and activists, with actress Charlize Theron voicing strong opposition. Theron claimed that foreign aid cuts have brought HIV and AIDS programs in South Africa to a halt, describing the situation as “absolutely heartbreaking.” She also criticized U.S. immigration policies and alleged a rollback of women’s and LGBTQ rights, stating, “Here in Los Angeles, in the U.S. and across the globe, we are moving backwards fast.” It is unclear whether Theron was voicing support for the violent, pro-illegal immigration riots in Los Angeles or just opposition to several large-scale U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids across the city.
Despite the criticism, the Trump administration has maintained that the changes will ensure foreign funding aligns with American interests, emphasizing greater accountability and efficiency under the State Department’s oversight.
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The post The USAID ‘NGO Industrial Complex’ Is Officially Over. appeared first on The National Pulse.
