USAID Ceases Operations, Critics Project 14 Million Additional Deaths Globally

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) officially ceased operations on July 1, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio announcing the move and the transfer of its remaining functions to the State Department. This decision, a key objective of the Trump administration, aims to realign foreign assistance strictly with American national interests. The agency's dissolution follows months of systematic dismantling and widespread criticism from various sectors.

Secretary Rubio stated that USAID had "for decades failed to ensure the programs it funded actually supported America's interests," and that "this era of government-sanctioned inefficiency has officially come to an end." Elon Musk, who led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) during the administration, had publicly labeled USAID a "criminal organization." As noted in a tweet by Nick Sortor, Musk even called it a "Democrat slush fund for kickbacks and corruption."

The cessation has drawn severe condemnation, particularly following a Lancet Medical journal study projecting more than 14 million additional global deaths, including 4.5 million children, due to U.S. aid reductions. Former USAID officials and humanitarian organizations have described the move as an "absolute train wreck" and an "abomination," warning of dire consequences for global health and development. Democrats have widely denounced USAID's demise as "unconstitutional and cruel," citing widespread layoffs and the freezing of critical programs.

Established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, USAID was designed as an independent agency to administer humanitarian aid and development programs worldwide. While the State Department will now oversee foreign assistance, focusing on "accountability, strategy, and efficiency," critics express skepticism about its capacity to manage such complex global aid efforts. Many argue that the State Department lacks the specialized expertise and infrastructure built by USAID over decades.

The disruption has led to concerns about the U.S.'s global standing and the potential for other nations to fill the void in international development. Programs addressing famine, disease prevention, and environmental conservation have been severely impacted, with some shutting down entirely. The move is seen by some as a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, prioritizing trade and investment over traditional aid models, and potentially undermining long-standing international partnerships.