The U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) website unexpectedly went offline, coinciding with ongoing furloughs, layoffs, and program shutdowns. This move sparked concerns among Congressional Democrats who fear the Trump administration may be seeking to disband USAID as an independent agency and absorb it into the State Department.
The website of the U.S. Agency for International Development ( USAID ) unexpectedly went offline on Saturday, coinciding with an ongoing wave of furloughs, layoffs, and program shutdowns. This move fueled anxieties among Congressional Democrats who fear that the Trump administration might be aiming to disband USAID as an independent agency and absorb it into the State Department .
Democrats strongly assert that Trump lacks the legal authority to eliminate a congressionally funded independent agency, emphasizing the crucial role USAID plays in national security. They argue that USAID's work is vital for stabilizing partner countries and economies, thereby protecting U.S. interests. Conversely, Trump and congressional Republicans contend that a significant portion of foreign aid and development programs is inefficient and wasteful, particularly those they perceive as advancing liberal social agendas.This apprehension regarding further administration actions against USAID arises amidst a two-week-long shutdown of billions of dollars in U.S. humanitarian, development, and security assistance. The U.S. is the world's leading provider of humanitarian aid, allocating less than 1% of its budget to foreign assistance – a smaller share than some other nations. Administration officials remained silent when questioned about lawmakers' and public concerns regarding Trump's potential plan to terminate USAID's independent status. President John F. Kennedy established USAID during the Cold War's peak to counter Soviet influence. Today, USAID stands at the forefront of U.S. efforts to counter the growing influence of China and other adversaries. Congress passed the Foreign Assistance Act in 1961, and Kennedy signed both that law and an executive order establishing USAID as an independent agency. Throughout Friday and Saturday, USAID staffers actively monitored the situation through chat groups, providing updates on the agency's flag and signage outside its Washington headquarters. As of late Saturday afternoon, these symbols remained in place
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