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Trump Plans to Absorb USAID into State Department as Website Goes Offline

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) website became inaccessible on Saturday, displaying an error message indicating that the “server IP address could not be found.” This development coincides with the Trump administration’s initiative to integrate USAID into the State Department, thereby reducing its autonomy.  

President Donald Trump recently signed Executive Order 14169, titled “Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid,” which mandates a 90-day suspension of all U.S. foreign development assistance programs to conduct a comprehensive review. The order criticizes the current foreign aid framework as misaligned with American interests and values.  

Following the executive order, the State Department, under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, issued a directive halting nearly all USAID operations, with exceptions only for emergency food assistance and specific military aid. This abrupt suspension has led to widespread confusion and disruptions within USAID and among its global partners.  

The proposed restructuring has raised significant concerns among diplomats, aid officials, and lawmakers. Critics argue that merging USAID into the State Department could diminish its role as the world’s largest humanitarian aid provider and potentially silence humanitarian perspectives in high-level policymaking. 

Legal experts also question the administration’s authority to dissolve USAID without congressional approval, given that the agency’s status is codified in federal law.  

Democratic lawmakers have expressed strong opposition to the move. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, cautioned observers to “watch USAID tonight,” while Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer labeled the potential dissolution of the agency’s independence as “illegal and against our national interests.”  

Secretary Rubio has indicated a shift in U.S. diplomatic priorities, emphasizing a focus on Latin American nations. In an opinion piece for The Wall Street Journal, he criticized previous administrations for neglecting these countries and outlined plans to strengthen regional relationships.  

The freeze on foreign aid has already begun to disrupt critical humanitarian programs worldwide. Medical facilities in Thai refugee camps, landmine clearance operations in conflict zones, and the distribution of life-saving treatments for diseases such as HIV are among the initiatives facing funding cuts. In fiscal year 2023, the United States disbursed $72 billion in assistance globally, accounting for 42% of all humanitarian aid tracked by the United Nations in 2024.  

As the 90-day review of foreign aid programs continues, the administration has yet to nominate a new USAID administrator, fueling speculation about the agency’s future as an independent entity. The situation remains fluid, with potential legal challenges and political debates anticipated in the coming weeks. 

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