A recent analysis published by Lawfare on July 17, 2025, details the profound and lasting global impacts of the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Authored by Anna Hickey, Nicholas Kristof, and Jen Patja, the report highlights how these actions weakened crucial U.S. foreign policy tools, reduced humanitarian aid, and created vacuums that rival powers have since filled.
USAID, established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, serves as the primary U.S. agency for civilian foreign aid and development assistance, working in over 100 countries. Its core mission is to advance U.S. foreign policy objectives by promoting global health, fighting extreme poverty, fostering democratic societies, and providing humanitarian assistance. The agency has historically been a significant instrument of U.S. soft power, building goodwill and influence worldwide.
The Trump administration pursued a foreign aid agenda that prioritized transactional diplomacy and national security interests over traditional development goals. This approach led to proposed budget cuts, a reduction in professional USAID staff, and efforts to integrate the agency more closely with the State Department, raising concerns about its autonomy. Critics argued that these shifts politicized aid and diminished USAID's capacity to address complex global development challenges effectively.
According to the Lawfare analysis, the dismantling efforts not only harmed recipient countries but also undermined U.S. influence on the global stage. The reduction in U.S. aid exacerbated humanitarian crises in some regions and allowed countries like China and Russia to expand their influence through alternative development initiatives. This strategic shift reportedly strained relationships with traditional international partners and led to a decline in morale among USAID's career professionals.
The authors of the Lawfare piece emphasize the need to rebuild and re-strategize USAID to restore its effectiveness. They conclude that a robust and independent USAID is vital for the United States to maintain its leadership in global development and effectively pursue its foreign policy objectives in an increasingly complex international landscape.