After all the controversy surrounding the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and its exposure by DOGE as a globalist slush fund, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has declared himself as the new “Acting Director” of the agency.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio says that he is now the Acting Director of USAID! pic.twitter.com/78c6mR5njJ
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) February 3, 2025
On a diplomatic trip to El Salvador, Rubio answered media questions about what he planned to do with USAID. As Fox News reported, Rubio responded:
REPORTER: Many criticize the funds allocated by USAID as being charitable or viewed as welfare for underdeveloped nations. In contrast, supporters of USAID, including members of Congress, argue that its efforts serve the national interest by fostering stability and generating goodwill for the U.S. What is your stance on this? Do you believe USAID effectively carries out these objectives, or do you have reservations about certain expenditures?
RUBIO: My main concern, as I have mentioned, revolves around ensuring that all USAID initiatives must align with the national interest and foreign policy of the United States. Over time, USAID has operated independently, indicating that funding decisions are made without regard to their compatibility with national foreign policy objectives. This approach is unfounded because every dollar spent in foreign aid must serve the national interest and foreign policy goals of the U.S. Therefore, the focus is not on abolishing USAID programs per se; rather, it involves evaluating both the beneficial activities and the questionable practices of the agency. It ultimately centers on the operational ethos of the organization.
As RedState reported, two USAID officials were placed on administrative leave after refusing to cooperate with DOGE oversight. Rubio referenced this rogue attitude within the agency and how he planned to address it.
They are supposed to take direction from the State Department, policy direction. They do not. Not only do they not take policy direction, they’re completely uncooperative. When you ask questions, when you try to go in and find out, okay, what does this program do, who’s getting the money, why was this funded? Why are you doing this? Why aren’t you coordinating with the embassy or the State Department?
Their attitude is, we don’t have to answer to you, because we’re independent. We answer to no one. Well that is not true. We will no longer allow it.
Rubio went into more detail in this video, explaining that his frustration with USAID went back to his time in Congress and that USAID has a history of not aligning with the national interest or American foreign policy, and he designated himself as Acting Director and has delegated authority to a surrogate to carry out the work of oversight.
WATCH:
RUBIO: “I’m the Acting Director of USAID.” pic.twitter.com/6Od3FMLeTL
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) February 3, 2025
