USAID Freeze:
U.S. President Donald Trump, on his first day of his second term, imposed a 90-day freeze on foreign assistance to reassess program efficiency and alignment with U.S. foreign policy.
- On January 20, 2023, President Donald Trump issued a 90-day freeze on foreign assistance to reassess program efficiency and alignment with U.S. foreign policy.
- Critics argue the freeze targets Biden-era programs, driven by political vendetta rather than strategic reassessment.
- Elon Musk (DOGE head) called USAID a “criminal organization,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized restructuring to serve U.S. national interests.
- USAID Established in 1961 under an Act of Congress, USAID (United States Agency for International Development) is an independent agency responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and development assistance.
- Mission is to promote democratic values, advance global peace and prosperity, and align with U.S. national security interests.
- Key Sectors: Economic development, health, education, food security, humanitarian aid, climate change, and governance.
- Operates in over 100 countries, with flagship programs like PEPFAR (HIV/AIDS relief), Feed the Future (food security), and Power Africa (energy access).
