U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that 83% of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) programs are being suspended after a six-week review.
Rubio emphasized that “tens of billions of dollars” had been allocated to 5,200 contracts, which are now being canceled. He pointed out that these funds were not utilized “in the interests of the U.S.”
“After consultations with Congress, we intend for the remaining programs (about 1,000), which we are keeping, to now be managed more efficiently by the Department of State,” Rubio added.
He expressed gratitude to the Department of Government Efficiency “for working so long to achieve this long-awaited and historic reform.”
On February 7, U.S. President Donald Trump remarked that “corruption in the U.S. Agency for International Development has reached unprecedented levels” and suggested that the agency should be abolished. Trump also indicated that lawsuits against USAID employees and grant recipients are being considered, amid allegations of misusing foreign aid funds.
