By Paige Gould
Staff Writer
The United States Agency for International Development was established in 1961 when former President John F. Kennedy signed an executive order to promote American progress abroad, according to USAID Archives. USAID was created to provide foreign assistance and humanitarian aid, supporting economic development, education, healthcare and disaster relief across the globe. However, Al Jazeera stated the agency has come under fire in recent years, with figures like President Donald Trump and Elon Musk calling for its defunding, citing concerns over wasteful spending.
Reuters reported that USAID was established at the height of the Cold War, in efforts to strengthen U.S. foreign policy through humanitarian efforts. The agency has played a crucial role in global health initiatives, including responding to natural disasters and supporting democracy-building programs.
USAID has frequently been a target for budget cuts, particularly under conservative administrations, according to Reuters. Critics argue that foreign aid should be reduced in favor of focusing on domestic issues, while supporters claim that global engagement fosters stability and benefits the U.S. economy in the long run.
On Feb. 1, The Guardian reported that the USAID website had unexpectedly shut down. This move was met with significant backlash from both domestic and international stakeholders who rely on USAID-funded projects.
“It’s been run by a bunch of radical lunatics, and we’re getting them out,” Trump said, according to the Washington Post.
The Trump administration has long sought to reduce government spending on foreign aid, because taxpayer money was being misused to fund politically motivated initiatives, according to Trump.
Musk has advocated for a more “cost-efficient” approach to international assistance, claiming that much of the aid money does not directly benefit those in need, according to Reuters. His influence within Republican circles has only added momentum to calls for further cuts.
AP News reported that the shutdown was not without controversy. Security officials at USAID denied access to high-security areas for Musk’s cost-cutting task force, known as the Department of Government Efficiency, due to a lack of security clearances. Following this, the USAID agency’s director of security and his deputy were placed on leave.
While the White House denied allegations of unauthorized access, Katie Miller, a representative from DOGE, claimed, “No classified material was accessed without proper security clearances.”
Republican Sen. Rand Paul went as far as to call for the complete abolishment of USAID, stating, “Abolish USAID and all foreign aid,” according to Al Jazeera,
The Guardian highlighted a contradiction in defunding USAID while continuing aid to countries like Israel and Egypt, despite documented human rights violations in both nations.
NPR reported that the funding freeze has stalled critical programs, from secret schools for Afghan women to flood relief efforts in disaster-stricken regions.
The American University of Afghanistan has suspended classes, stating in an email, “Once/if foreign aid is restored, then AUAF will begin teaching again.”
AUAF had been a symbol of progress, particularly in providing education for young women despite Taliban rule.
The Taliban’s interpretation of Islamic rule is imposed on Afghan citizens. This means women and girls are barred from access to education beyond the sixth grade because the Taliban’s interpretation deemed it not in compliance with Sharia or Islamic law, according to AP News.
USAID’s shutdown raises pressing questions about the future of U.S. foreign aid. Critics argue that American taxpayers should not foot the bill for international programs, while supporters contend that dismantling USAID weakens America’s global influence and abandons vulnerable communities. As the debate continues to unfold, the ripple effects of these cuts will be felt worldwide, particularly in regions where USAID has long served as a lifeline.
