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Key Points

The US Agency for International Development officially shut down, merging some functions into the State Department while terminating others. Former Presidents Obama and Bush criticized the move, calling it detrimental to global aid efforts. Trump's administration defended the restructuring, emphasizing alignment with national interests. Disaster response teams will continue operating despite the reorganization.

Key Points: Obama Bush Criticize Trump as USAID Shuts Down

  • Obama and Bush condemn USAID closure as harmful to global aid
  • Trump calls agency "radical lunatics" in push to realign priorities
  • Rubio defends restructuring, citing national interest focus
  • Essential disaster response teams remain active despite reorganization
2 min read

USAID officially shuts down

Former Presidents Obama and Bush slam Trump's dismantling of USAID as it merges with State Department, ending key foreign aid programs.

"A colossal mistake – Barack Obama on USAID shutdown"

Washington, July 1

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) officially shut down on Tuesday, which was criticised by former US Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush.

Meanwhile, the USAID will be merged into the US State Department from Tuesday.

According to an earlier statement of the US State Department, the reorganization of the USAID involves realigning certain USAID functions with the State Department by Tuesday. Other USAID functions, which do not align with incumbent President Donald Trump's policy priorities, will be terminated.

In separate statements, Obama called the Trump administration's dismantling of USAID "a colossal mistake," while Bush quoted an AIDS relief programme, whose future remains unclear, like much of US foreign aid, as an example.

Trump had previously slammed the USAID as being run by "a bunch of radical lunatics", Xinhua news agency reported.

The remaining USAID functions, which do not align with the administration's priorities, will be discontinued, according to a statement of the State Department issued earlier this year.

"Foreign assistance done right can advance our national interests, protect our borders, and strengthen our partnerships with key allies. Unfortunately, USAID strayed from its original mission long ago," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in the statement in March.

"We are reorienting our foreign assistance programmes to align directly with what is best for the United States and our citizens," Rubio said. "We are continuing essential lifesaving programmes and making strategic investments that strengthen our partners and our own country."

A memo sent to USAID employees had informed them that all positions not required by law would be eliminated.

USAID has maintained disaster response teams despite the reorganisation, as seen in the US response to a devastating earthquake in Myanmar.

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce had said earlier that USAID remains on standby to offer immediate assistance, including food and safe drinking water needed to save lives in the aftermath of a disaster.

"The United States is evaluating the need for assistance based on requests and dynamic reporting," Bruce had told a press briefing, a few months ago.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
USAID did great work in rural India - from healthcare to education. Sad to see it go. But maybe this is an opportunity for India to become self-reliant in these areas? #MakeInIndia
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Arjun K
Trump administration is making a big mistake. USAID helped fight diseases like polio in India. Now who will fund such initiatives? Hope our PM Modi ji has a plan B.
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Sarah B
As someone who worked with USAID projects in Mumbai, I can say their abrupt closure will affect thousands of beneficiaries. The transition should have been more gradual and planned.
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Vikram M
USAID shutting down is bad news for our farmers who benefited from their agricultural programs. Government should step in immediately to fill this gap. Jai Kisan!
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Kavya N
While I appreciate USAID's work, maybe it's time for India to develop its own robust foreign aid program. We're the 5th largest economy now - should help others too! 🇮🇳
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Michael C
The abrupt nature of this shutdown is concerning. Many ongoing projects in Indian villages will be left incomplete. Hope the State Department maintains at least the humanitarian aid components.

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