Marco Rubio says 83% of USAID contracts cancelled under Trump

The Trump administration has drastically reduced the scope of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), cancelling 83% of its programs following a six-week review aimed at trimming government spending and reducing what the administration calls "waste." Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that 5,200 contracts, worth tens of billions of dollars, had been cancelled, with some of these programs even causing harm to the U.S.'s national interests. While Rubio did not specify which programs were axed, he stated that the remaining 1,000 programs would be managed more efficiently under the State Department, with input from Congress. In his statement, Rubio also thanked the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk, for contributing to the reform efforts. Musk, who has been a strong advocate for reducing waste in the federal government, responded, "Tough, but necessary. Good working with you. The important parts of USAID should always have been with Dept of State." This move comes after Trump’s second-term administration took office, leading to a 90-day pause on foreign aid, which threw USAID into turmoil. The halt impacted global humanitarian efforts, including the delivery of food and medical aid, while also triggering layoffs and leave for thousands of employees. USAID, once employing over 10,000 people, has faced significant downsizing, with reports indicating that fewer than 300 staff members may remain in the agency. Hundreds of American diplomats have voiced opposition to the cuts, warning that the freeze on foreign aid jeopardizes partnerships with allies and could open doors for adversaries to expand their influence.

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