Stop the Dismantling of USAID

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) provides crucial humanitarian, developmental, and security assistance to countries through supplies, expertise, and funding. From advancing U.S. foreign policy to fighting the spread of disease, USAID is a pillar of American leadership abroad – yet it operates on just over 0.5% of the Federal budget.

Now, the Trump administration is taking unlawful action to dismantle USAID. After attempting to protect classified information from Musk’s unofficial department DOGE, high level officials were placed on leave and the USAID website was shut down. Secretary of State Marco Rubio then announced the agency would be absorbed into the State Department, and he handed control of daily operations to Pete Marocco—an alleged January 6th rioter who was previously accused of weaponizing his power within USAID for political gain. And on Feb 4th, it was announced that all direct hires of the agency would be put on leave, a move that will leave thousands of USAID staffers and contractors – many in conflict zones – without access to USAID systems.

The USAID was created by law and cannot be unilaterally abolished by the executive branch. This is a blatant, illegal overreach of executive power that has forced many humanitarian aid programs to shut down and put countless lives at risk around the world. Congress must not stand by while foreign aid is gutted and Trump continues to abuse his authority.