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Original poster

To highlight what is happening to US Foreign Aid?

133 replies

Locutus2000 · 04/02/2025 16:04

Elon Musk's taskforce have not just shut down NSAID (United States Agency for International Development) but are starting to actively erase its' existence.

Pressed about his support for USAID during his first term in office, Trump said he loved the “concept” but not the execution of the agency’s mission.
“They turn out to be radical left lunatics. And the concept of it is good, but it’s all about the people,” he said.

USAID logos and photos showing the humanitarian work the agency does around the globe were removed from its offices last week, multiple sources familiar with the situation told CNN.

“All of the visuals have been taken down. These are like large-scale photos of our work in developing countries that are in our lobbies, in our galleys, in communal kitchens, hallways,” a USAID employee said.

Another USAID worker told CNN: “They’ve taken the photos off the walls, and we’re missing half of our colleagues because our colleagues are gone and have been let go, and everyone sort of feels like they’re walking around with a target on their back.”

When asked if leaders in their department appeared to have any more information on the future of the agency’s work, the source said: “Our senior leaders have all been fired.”

Regardless of your position on Foreign Aid, this type of scorched-earth petty bullying of dissidents has to be intolerable?

So much slipping through the cracks with the barrage of Executive Orders, all entirely by design.

This is all feels like banana republic / post communist block stuff, ignoring the more worrying parallels.

AIBU to feel comparisons to historic dictatorships are becoming increasingly valid, hyperbole aside? All live and on social media for our kids to watch.

Rubio says he’s acting director of USAID as humanitarian agency is taken over by the State Department | CNN Politics

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Monday that he is acting administrator the US Agency for International Development, confirming the de-facto takeover of the humanitarian agency by the State Department.

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/03/politics/usaid-washington-workers/index.html

OP posts:
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6
Midnightlove · 05/02/2025 09:14

It is horrific. 43% of the world's development and aid gone overnight.

Why do they need to be responsible for so much of the money? It seems like America is always paying more than it's fair share, and can't blame them for being sick of it and putting themselves first

StandFirm · 05/02/2025 09:00

Locutus2000 · 04/02/2025 16:04

Elon Musk's taskforce have not just shut down NSAID (United States Agency for International Development) but are starting to actively erase its' existence.

Pressed about his support for USAID during his first term in office, Trump said he loved the “concept” but not the execution of the agency’s mission.
“They turn out to be radical left lunatics. And the concept of it is good, but it’s all about the people,” he said.

USAID logos and photos showing the humanitarian work the agency does around the globe were removed from its offices last week, multiple sources familiar with the situation told CNN.

“All of the visuals have been taken down. These are like large-scale photos of our work in developing countries that are in our lobbies, in our galleys, in communal kitchens, hallways,” a USAID employee said.

Another USAID worker told CNN: “They’ve taken the photos off the walls, and we’re missing half of our colleagues because our colleagues are gone and have been let go, and everyone sort of feels like they’re walking around with a target on their back.”

When asked if leaders in their department appeared to have any more information on the future of the agency’s work, the source said: “Our senior leaders have all been fired.”

Regardless of your position on Foreign Aid, this type of scorched-earth petty bullying of dissidents has to be intolerable?

So much slipping through the cracks with the barrage of Executive Orders, all entirely by design.

This is all feels like banana republic / post communist block stuff, ignoring the more worrying parallels.

AIBU to feel comparisons to historic dictatorships are becoming increasingly valid, hyperbole aside? All live and on social media for our kids to watch.

It's not a hyperbole, it's a very neutral and factual description of what's going on. There is a real sense of fear among non-Trumpers in the US. It is noticeable.

ballroompink · 05/02/2025 08:53

Something that is useful to know re: aid for theatre/drama stuff (not sure on this particular case but I have worked in development in Africa/Asia) is that in communities where you have people who cannot read, have no access to the Internet, live remotely and have an oral tradition, drama, song etc. are immensely effective at communicating important information e.g. public health messaging, skills, awareness of government support and legislation, etc.

I've seen the tabloids mock aid money going to this sort of thing before but the fact is, it's a very effective tool that helps people.

ViciousCurrentBun · 05/02/2025 08:27

When people see aid feeding children and giving medical aid they in the main can live with it. When they hear that’s it’s been given to theatre groups many can’t. This is what’s happened right here. So a massive swing to the right. It was inevitable.

YouDeserveBetterSoAskForIt · 05/02/2025 08:20

YABU. It is corrupt and needed to be sorted out.

frenchnoodle · 05/02/2025 08:18

Locutus2000 · 04/02/2025 16:33

Essentially this is targeting a tiny group of individuals, demonising them and literally taking their jobs.

We've been here before. And it certainly affected the UK then.

We've not had this little post explained yet. What little group of individuals do you mean?

Valeriekat · 05/02/2025 08:01

InveterateWineDrinker · 04/02/2025 17:55

The other thing being overlooked in all of this is that USAID is funded by Congress. For anyone who believes in a system of checks and balances and the separation of powers it is rather worrying that the will of Congress can be overturned by Executive Order.

It was set up by an EO and so can be ended by one.

Valeriekat · 05/02/2025 07:57

The State Department can do the same thing. There will still be foreign aid!

snugsnug1 · 04/02/2025 22:46

CranfordScones · 04/02/2025 22:38

The US government has never been in the aid business. It's nearly all soft diplomacy as far as they're concerned. Bringing it under the State department recognises it for what it is.

The US administration has many more political appointees than our system. It's a double-edged sword. But it often means big upheavals at the outset of a new administration.

The US civil service does not get purged between administrations. That's the point of it. They are non-political employees specifically to ensure continuity.

verycloakanddaggers · 04/02/2025 22:46

Herewegoagain29 · 04/02/2025 17:41

The United States has the largest external debt in the world. The total number of U.S. Treasury securities held by foreign entities in December 2021 was $7.7 trillion, up from $7.1 trillion in December 2020.Total US federal government debt breached the $30 trillion mark for the first time in history in February 2022.

In 2023, 36.8 million people in the United States lived in poverty, which is 11.1% of the population.

Maybe all the money should be spent getting to a fiscally responsible place, rather than being sent abroad.
There has to be a breaking point where the debt must be tackled.

Why? Economically, why must the debt be tackled?

What would happen if it were not tackled?

CranfordScones · 04/02/2025 22:38

The US government has never been in the aid business. It's nearly all soft diplomacy as far as they're concerned. Bringing it under the State department recognises it for what it is.

The US administration has many more political appointees than our system. It's a double-edged sword. But it often means big upheavals at the outset of a new administration.

Princessconsuelabananahammock9 · 04/02/2025 22:20

It’s really sad. So many vulnerable suffering people will die.

InveterateWineDrinker · 04/02/2025 20:24

I cannot speak for the things to which @LifeExperience has alluded, but spending "foreign aid" at home is pretty normal in the UK too, but of course being British and obsessed with the appearance of probity we don't actually think of it like that.

Do you really think back in the day when the UK government provided Land Rovers to the developing world that it wasn't also about buying votes in Solihull??

Or when Crown Agents uses Japanese aid money to buy Land Rovers?

Michelle12A · 04/02/2025 20:19

When a country has 36 trillion dollars of debt it does make sense to stop giving money away abroad.

user1471453601 · 04/02/2025 20:16

@LifeExperience can you link to a sight which proves this? Thankd

BaleOfHay · 04/02/2025 20:15

God this thread is depressing. It's like being in a flat roofed pub with Farage and his cronies. I can see why we're all fucked.

OneAmberFinch · 04/02/2025 20:14

Thoughts in no particular order

Foreign aid is usually either an outright bung to foreign dictators or a cynical way to make countries dependent / in the "sphere of influence"

I wonder what the plan is to replace that bribery money - which China is very happy to supply in their colonialism 2.0 quest

On the other hand China is supplying it anyway so it seems the people who were meant to be bought, aren't staying bought, so why bother...

Regardless, this is clearly what was advertised and what his voters want, and as PP said if you want a stable job then don't get one that's dependent on political winds

I certainly prefer this to Starmer's version - don't just give away money, give away territory too!

Gwenhwyfar · 04/02/2025 20:12

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 04/02/2025 16:34

It’s a terrible shame that the subsidy to the LGBTQ theatre group in WALES has been removed, so the Welsh will have to stump up for it. Ditto the Serbian literature on transition 😢….so sad.Maybe we could lobby our Government to take on this onerous but o so necessary function.

The Welsh government is cutting so much funding to arts that I actually think we could be considered in need of this help! Also, our universities closing down departments. Bring on the foreign aid please.

InveterateWineDrinker · 04/02/2025 20:09

Upstartled · 04/02/2025 17:55

Yeah, I can see why the average American doesn't feel like they should have to shoulder the burden for this much aid around the world.

These average Americans are, presumably, the same ones who think the rich should pay 'their fair share' in taxes to help them?

Ablondiebutagoody · 04/02/2025 20:03

The aid industry is rotten. Just look at the salaries (and pedophiles) at Oxfam. Good move I think.

Sunseaandgreys · 04/02/2025 18:02

I’m with you OP, I work in Humanitarian aid in a conflict country that has (had) USAID funding (thankfully we don’t rely on it only) and it’s an absolute nightmare.

I think what people not in the sector don’t realise is the shocking lack of processes and systems. Billions in aid immediately being frozen, means in developing and conflict countries hospitals stop functioning, food and hygiene distributions stop, cash support to vulnerable people, livelihoods activities, water points, everything stops over night with no exit plan in place.

I’m all for ensuring audits are in place (and our USAID audits are extensive!) and that funds are used correctly but this lack of preparation is crazy not to mention all the incorrect information coming from the administration themselves.

As MSF has said - thousands of people are going to die.

Upstartled · 04/02/2025 17:58

Especially when every intervention in a foreign land, no matter how good the intentions, inevitably becomes a source for grievance and whining.

Upstartled · 04/02/2025 17:55

Yeah, I can see why the average American doesn't feel like they should have to shoulder the burden for this much aid around the world.

InveterateWineDrinker · 04/02/2025 17:55

The other thing being overlooked in all of this is that USAID is funded by Congress. For anyone who believes in a system of checks and balances and the separation of powers it is rather worrying that the will of Congress can be overturned by Executive Order.

MushMonster · 04/02/2025 17:53

I have just read the article in the Guardian.
I was also shocked! The drama surrounding it all....
There are quite a few negative comments about the Agency itself here. I must confess I do not know about it, whether is following a suitable guide or going rogue. Integrating all government Agencies in a common objective makes sense.
But, what about the poor employess that have no idea if they do or do not have a job? Even if they do work hard and give it all, they will be worrying. I think they really can re-structure goverment agencies without that much of a drama and trauma. A bit of respect and consideration for the guys working there.
At least yhey are hiding weapons on their filing system, or plotting to blow up the White House, there is no reason to justify all this rush and extreme actions, is it?