The Washington Post published on 15 July 2025 a commentary titled "William H. McRaven: Cutting the State Department and USAID Will Put Every American at Risk,"
Retired Admiral McRaven, commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command from 2011 to 2014, praised the work of Foreign Service and USAID personnel at locations around the world, especially for their efforts to counter terrorism. He singled out some by name and argued that the dismantlement of USAID and sharp personnel reductions at the State Department only jeopardize American national security.
