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Global Dispatches

The Death of USAID

A pillar of US foreign policy comes crashing down

Mark Leon Goldberg's avatar
Mark Leon Goldberg
Feb 03, 2025
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Creator: MC2(SW) CANDICE VILLARREAL | Credit: U.S. Navy Copyright: from Navy News Service

You’ve probably seen the news by now about the Trump administration’s full-blown attack on the United States Agency for International Development. After issuing a stop-work order last week for nearly all USAID staff, a goon squad from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency raided USAID offices over the weekend, gaining access to the agency’s sensitive payment and personnel systems. Musk is now on a posting spree, spreading malicious lies and conspiracy theories about USAID. “USAID is a criminal organization,” he said. “Time for it to die.”

Meanwhile, USAID staff were told that headquarters were closed and instructed to stay home. This afternoon, a group of lawmakers attempted to gain entry but were prevented by federal agents. Secretary of State Marco Rubio just installed himself as acting head of the agency.

For all intents and purposes, USAID is dead — killed in a fit of ideological ven…

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