What Remains of USAID?

 The New York Times published on 22 June 2025 an article titled "What Remains of U.S.A.I.D.?" by Amy Schoenfeld Walker, Malika Khurana, and Christine Zhang.

The USAID projects that survived DOGE dismantlement of the agency are the result of pleas and negotiations of a few politically important people, many of whom had little experience in foreign aid.  Some 891 programs constituting 14 percent of the previous total and $69 billion survived and will be administered by the State Department.  DOGE cancelled USAID projects worth $76 billion over several years.

There was no comprehensive review of previous programs.  The focus going forward is addressing acute disease, hunger, and other humanitarian emergencies.  The State Department does not have the staff, resources, or expertise to oversee the programs that survived DOGE cuts.  

Fourteen Days that Doomed USAID

 The New York Times published on 22 June 2025 an article titled "Missteps, Confusion and 'Viral Waste': The 14 Days that Doomed USAID" by Christopher Flavelle, Nicholas Nehamas, and Julie Tate.

This is the detailed story of the 14 days that it took Elon Musk, the DOGE team, and the Trump administration to dismantle the US Agency for International Development.  

Draft Executive Order for Dismantling State Department: Fake or Mistake?

 Government Executive published on 20 April 2025 an article titled "Rubio Denies that Trump Will Politicize the Foreign Service and Slash Embassies" by Eric Katz.

While plans are underway to reorganize the State Department, the draft executive order on this subject reported by The New York Times has been called a fake document by some in the Trump administration.  

Comment:  Following the dismantlement of USAID, Voice of America, and US Institute of Peace, it would come as no surprise that the State Department is next.  Time will tell if the draft executive order represents thinking within the administration or is just a sick joke. 

More on Proposal to Gut the State Department

 The Associated Press published on 15 April 2025 an article titled "DOGE Associate Is Made Acting Head of Foreign Assistance at the State Department, a US Official Says" by Ellen Knickmeyer and Matthew Lee.

The Office of Management and Budget is recommending major cuts in State Department funding that, if approved, would have the effect of gutting many of its functions.  The proposal must still be vetted within the administration and then go to Congress for approval.  

Is State Department Next in Line for Dismantlement?

The Washington Post published on 14 April 2025 an article titled "Trump Plan Would Slash State Dept. Funding by Nearly Half, Memo Says" by Adam Taylor and John Hudson.   

The Washington Post reviewed an internal memo prepared by the White House Office of Management and Budget that proposes a reduction by almost half in the State Department's budget for 2025.  Many of the reductions are funding for international organizations such as the UN and NATO.  The budget described in the memo is subject to deliberations in the Trump administration and in Congress.  

National Public Radio posted on 14 April 2025 a 10-minute podcast titled "Big Changes at the U.S. State Department" by Michele Kelemen, Lauren Frayer, and Greg Dixon.  

The podcast describes dramatic changes, including politicization, taking place at the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development.  

USAID Terminator at State Department Also Terminated

 The Wall Street Journal published on 13 April 2025 an article titled "Trump Official Who Oversaw Closure of USAID Has Left State Department" by Brian Schwartz and Alexander Ward.  

Pete Marocco, the Trump administration official at the State Department in charge of destroying USAID, has been asked to leave, apparently following disagreements with Secretary of State Marco Rubio over the future of USAID.  It is not clear if Marocco is leaving the administration entirely or will serve in a different position.  

Impact of USAID Dismantling Becoming Clearer

 The Hill published on 21 March 2025 an article titled "Internal USAID List Provides Snapshot of Trump Cuts" by Laura Kelly.

A 400-page list provided to Congress offers insights on the cuts the Trump administration is making to USAID.  Ending some of these programs in the health sector will result in deaths overseas and endanger Americans in the United States while cuts in food programs will have a negative impact on American farmers who grow and supply the food for humanitarian programs.  The goal of the Trump administration seems to be to destroy USAID.

Comment:  The remnants of USAID will be transferred to the State Department.  One important issue that is receiving little attention is the fact that the State Department is ill-equipped and understaffed to manage a variety of humanitarian programs.  

Downsizing the US Department of State

 The New York Times published on 6 March 2025 an article titled "State Dept. Plans to Close Diplomatic Missions and Fire Employees" by Edward Wong and Mark Mazzetti.

The State Department has been hemorrhaging senior staff since the beginning of this year.  The Trump administration is looking to cut staffing by as much as 20 percent.  A dozen consulates, mostly in Western Europe, are on the chopping block.  Locally hired staff may be hit especially hard by the firings.  Embassies are also reportedly under discussion for closure.  

Faith-based Organizations Challenge Trump Administration's USAID Dismantlement

 The Washington Post published on 6 March 2025 an article titled "Trump's Foreign Aid Demolition Hits Major Christian Charities" by John Hudson, Missy Ryan, and Katharine Houreld.

Albert Gombis, a political appointee in the State Department, met on 28 February with about 35 representatives of faith-based groups that included World Vision, Samaritan's Purse, Christian Aid, Food for the Hungary, Compassion International, National Association of Evangelicals, and Islamic Relief.  They relayed the painful effects on their organizations stemming from Trump's cancellation of 90 percent of all USAID contracts, the termination of more than 1,600 personnel, and the placement of almost all of USAID's 10,000 strong workforce on administrative leave.  

The article also reported that Trump's chief dismantler of USAID, Peter Marocco, met with lawmakers in a closed-door briefing where he said USAID was a "money-laundering scheme" that had lost its way.  He added he was examining whether foreign assistance is even constitutional.  When asked if he was among the rioters at the US Capitol on 6 January 2021, Marocco responded that is not the subject of the meeting.   

USAID Washington Staff: The Final Ignominy

 ABC News published on 25 February 2025 an article titled "USAID Staff Given 15 Minutes to Gather Belongings from Washington, D.C. Offices" by Lucien Bruggeman and Shannon K. Kingston.

"USAID leadership" (whoever that is these days other than Pete Marocco) sent an email on 25 February to USAID staff in Washington that they have 15 minutes one time only to enter the Ronald Reagan Building, former USAID headquarters, to collect their personal belongings on either 27 or 28 February.  And they are prohibited from bringing into the building ski poles, BB guns, bleach, etc.  

Trying to Explain Dismantlement of USAID

 ABC News published on 24 February 2025 an article titled "'Radical Change': Inside Trump's State Department Takeover of USAID" by Will Steakin, Lucien Bruggeman, and Shannon K. Kingston.  

Pete Marocco, charged with dismantling USAID and moving what is left to the State Department, met with dozens of implementing foreign aid organizations on 13 February at the State Department to explain what is happening.  The meeting reportedly did not go well.  

USAID Dismantlement: Damage Done to US Foreign Policy

 The Washington Post published on 21 February 2025 an opinion piece titled "There's a Story in Each Shard of the Shattered USAID" by David Ignatius.

The commentary identifies some of the damage already done around the world to US interests and foreign policy.