In a sweeping move that marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign aid policy, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Monday the cancellation of 83% of programs administered by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The decision, detailed in a post on X at 03:55 CDT, follows a six-week review spearheaded by Rubio and supported by the controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by tech mogul Elon Musk.

The overhaul eliminates 5,200 contracts, which Rubio claims “spent tens of billions of dollars in ways that did not serve, (and in some cases even harmed), the core national interests of the United States.”

 

Rubio’s announcement signals the end of an era for USAID, an agency long tasked with delivering humanitarian aid and development assistance worldwide.

The canceled programs, amounting to billions in taxpayer funds, have been criticized by Rubio and DOGE proponents as inefficient, bloated, and misaligned with American priorities.

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In his statement, Rubio emphasized that the remaining 18% of programs—approximately 1,000 contracts—will be absorbed into the State Department for more effective administration.

“In consultation with Congress, we intend for [these programs] to now be administered more effectively under the State Department,” Rubio wrote, thanking DOGE and his staff for their “long hours” in achieving what he called an “overdue and historic reform.”

DOGE’s involvement, an initiative championed by Musk and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, has drawn both praise and scrutiny.

Launched as part of President Donald Trump’s agenda to slash federal spending, DOGE has positioned itself as a disruptor of government inefficiency. Rubio’s public gratitude toward the group underscores its influence, with reports indicating that DOGE’s efforts have already cut at least $6.5 billion from USAID’s budget since early 2025.

Musk, who has branded USAID a “criminal organization,” has been vocal about his disdain for the agency, accusing it of wasting resources and undermining U.S. interests.

Critics, however, argue that DOGE’s aggressive tactics—such as locking out USAID staff, placing senior officials on leave, and attempting to access secure systems—raise legal and ethical questions. Posts on X and web reports suggest that the rapid dismantling of USAID has sparked a turf war between Rubio and Musk, with the Secretary of State issuing waivers to preserve “life-saving humanitarian assistance programs” that were nonetheless shuttered in the chaos.

Former National Security Adviser John Bolton warned in February 2025 that such cuts could harm “long-term American interests,” particularly in foreign policy, while aid workers lament the loss of programs like PEPFAR, which has saved millions of lives globally.

The cancellation of 83% of USAID’s programs represents a dramatic reduction in America’s global humanitarian footprint.

The agency, once a cornerstone of U.S. soft power, has been accused by Rubio of becoming a “rogue agency captured by the Deep State” and a “slush fund” for NGOs advancing a “far-left agenda.”

By folding the remaining programs into the State Department, Rubio aims to realign foreign aid with national security and economic priorities—a move he telegraphed in early February when he assumed acting control of USAID.

Yet the transition has not been smooth. Reports from CNN and TIME highlight the “haphazard nihilism” of DOGE’s approach, with unintended consequences like the brief cancellation of Ebola prevention efforts and the closure of USAID clinics despite Rubio’s assurances.

Democrats and some Republicans have expressed alarm, with Senate Democrats alleging that DOGE’s actions “compromise our national security” and violate congressional mandates.

A Supreme Court ruling on March 5 mandated the release of billions in frozen USAID payments to contractors, though no deadline was set, adding further uncertainty.

Rubio’s announcement also raises questions about congressional oversight. While he claims the reforms were made “in consultation with Congress,” Democratic lawmakers have argued that merging USAID into the State Department requires legislative approval—a process that has yet to unfold.

The tension between executive action and congressional authority could lead to legal challenges in the coming weeks.

As USAID’s workforce—once over 10,000 strong—faces mass furloughs and its headquarters sits largely shuttered, the future of U.S. foreign aid hangs in the balance.

Rubio’s vision of a leaner, State Department-led operation may streamline operations, but at the cost of programs that once defined America’s global leadership.

For now, the partnership between Rubio and DOGE has delivered a seismic shift that promises efficiency to its advocates and chaos to its detractors.

It remains to be seen whether this “historic reform” strengthens or weakens America’s position on the world stage.