Five former leaders of the US Agency for International Development (USAID, spanning Republican and Democratic administrations, have united to denounce the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the agency. In a statement, they emphasized the critical role of USAID and urged Congress to safeguard its statutory responsibilities. The former administrators, representing various political affiliations, defended the agency’s workforce against attacks by President Trump and Elon Musk, highlighting the vital contributions of USAID in advancing American interests globally.
The group, including Samantha Power, Gayle Smith, Andrew Natsios, J. Brian Atwood, and Peter McPherson, emphasized the importance of maintaining America’s foreign assistance programs and honoring the dedicated service of USAID personnel. They warned that undermining or dismantling the agency would not serve the interests of any political party and would harm all Americans.
Despite disagreements on certain issues, the former administrators united in their belief that USAID plays a crucial role in global engagement and that weakening the agency would have serious consequences. They criticized the Trump administration’s actions to dismantle USAID, citing potential violations of the law.
Amid these developments, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been appointed as the acting administrator of USAID. The administration’s plans to reorganize the agency, integrate certain functions with the State Department, and potentially abolish parts of USAID have raised concerns among the former leaders and the agency’s workforce. The uncertainty surrounding the future of USAID has led to significant disruptions, with contractors being placed on leave and personnel facing potential reassignment or termination. The former administrators and supporters of USAID are calling for swift action to protect the agency’s mission and ensure its continued effectiveness in delivering humanitarian aid and promoting American values worldwide.
