The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) website went offline on Saturday without explanation, as U.S.President Donald Trump’s freeze on U.S.-funded foreign aid continues. The freeze has led to widespread furloughs, layoffs, and shutdowns of numerous programs. Meanwhile, concerns are growing over Trump’s plans to potentially absorb USAID into the State Department.
Concerns Raised by Congressional Democrats
Democrats in Congress are increasingly worried that Trump may eliminate USAID as an independent agency, claiming he lacks legal authority to do so. They argue that USAID’s work is essential for U.S. national security. However, Trump and congressional Republicans argue that many foreign aid programs are wasteful, particularly those supporting liberal social agendas.
The Ongoing Freeze on U.S. Aid
This freeze has been in place for two weeks, halting billions of dollars in U.S. humanitarian, development, and security assistance. While the U.S. remains the world’s largest donor of humanitarian aid, it spends less than 1% of its budget on foreign assistance. The freeze has led to significant disruptions in aid programs globally.
The Future of USAID and Its Independence
USAID was created by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 during the Cold War to counter Soviet influence. Today, it plays a key role in the U.S.’s efforts to compete with China’s growing foreign aid program, “Belt and Road.” USAID staff have been closely monitoring the situation, checking if the agency’s signs and flag are still up at its headquarters. As of late Saturday afternoon, the signs remained intact.
Senator Murphy’s Concerns
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy voiced concerns, stating that presidents cannot eliminate congressionally funded agencies through executive orders. He warned that Trump’s actions could result in a “constitutional crisis.” Additionally, billionaire Elon Musk, a key advisor to Trump, supported the idea of dissolving USAID, tweeting, “Live by executive order, die by executive order.”
Trump’s Freeze and Its Impact on Aid Programs
Trump’s freeze on foreign assistance began on January 20, halting U.S. aid for 90 days. This order caused extensive program shutdowns and layoffs. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has worked to ensure that life-saving emergency programs continue during the freeze.
Aid Groups Confused Amid Shutdowns
Aid organizations are struggling to understand which programs are still allowed to operate under the freeze. Rubio has mentioned that USAID programs are being reviewed to eliminate those that don’t serve U.S. national interests but has not commented on whether the agency will be dissolved.
Debate Over USAID’s Role and Future
The ongoing debate about USAID’s role in U.S. foreign policy has intensified. Republicans typically want the State Department to have more control over USAID’s policies and funding, while Democrats advocate for maintaining its independence. This conflict resurfaced during Trump’s first term, when he proposed cutting foreign operations funding. Congress resisted, but Trump used freezes to cut funds already allocated, which the General Accounting Office later ruled as a violation of the Impoundment Control Act.