Trump considering USAID-State Dept merger to boost efficiency

US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering merging the US Agency for International Development (USAID) with the State Department as part of a broader push to improve efficiency and align the agency’s spending with his administration’s priorities. A senior White House official confirmed the discussions on Monday, revealing that Elon Musk has been entrusted to oversee efforts aimed at cutting wasteful government spending. Musk, who is leading Trump’s drive for fiscal responsibility, has been vocal about his criticisms of USAID, calling the agency “beyond repair” and suggesting it should be shut down. This has raised concerns that Musk's personal political views could be influencing efforts to dismantle or restructure the agency. According to Musk, Trump has agreed with the need to shutter USAID. Meanwhile, tensions have risen within the agency. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that he is now acting head of USAID, claiming the agency has been “unresponsive” and accusing staff of failing to provide basic information. Over the past week, several USAID staff members have been put on leave, and two senior security staff were dismissed after refusing to comply with requests from Musk's team at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This restructuring comes on the heels of Trump's January 20th decision to freeze most US foreign aid, including a halt to vital programs providing life-saving assistance worldwide. With USAID’s programs covering billions of dollars in aid, this freeze has already disrupted critical initiatives, including women's health, clean water access, and HIV/AIDS treatment. Trump’s freeze and the potential merger could have major consequences for US foreign aid, which has historically been the largest in the world. In fiscal year 2023, the US disbursed $72 billion in global aid, including humanitarian aid tracked by the United Nations, which accounted for 42% of all global humanitarian efforts in 2024. As of today, USAID’s Washington headquarters is closed for the day, following internal concerns about security. Democratic lawmakers have expressed outrage over the ongoing disruption, planning a protest outside USAID’s offices, calling it an “illegal shutdown” instigated by the Trump administration and Musk.

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