The Trump Administration has ordered a halt to operations at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), citing concerns over wasteful spending and 'rank insubordination'. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was appointed acting administrator of USAID, accused the agency of acting as a 'global charity' and diverting taxpayer dollars from national interests. The move follows the discovery of several questionable payments by the presidential advisory committee DOGE, led by Elon Musk. The Trump Administration claims the suspension will prevent 'unjustified and non-emergency spending', citing examples like halting $50 million in funding for condoms in Gaza. However, USAID maintains that the funds were intended for medical services provided by International Medical Corps (IMC) to Gaza civilians.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks at the daily briefing at the White House in Washington Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025.
The Trump Administration has been a huge advocate in wanting to shut down USAID as an independent agency and putting it under the authority of the State Department. Rubio, who was also named the agency’s acting administrator, argued on Fox News USAID has evolved into a “global charity.” This allows it to spend tax dollars “irrespective of whether it is in the national interest or not in the national interest,” he said.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters the agency has proven to be poor stewards of tax dollars.
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