Staff Reports
President Trump has decided to step into the limelight and shine a light on the so-called “radical lunatics” running the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a move that resonates with conservatives who have long been miffed about the agency’s penchant for wasting taxpayer dollars. According to critics, USAID has drifted far from its original mission and has squandered billions on programs that not only fail the American public, but in many cases, outright jeopardize national interests.
Michael Rubin, a resident scholar at a conservative think tank, wasted no time in labeling USAID as the “epitome of the deep state.” It seems the agency’s staff is more concerned with racking up financial expenditures than they are with ensuring those expenditures actually serve the interests of the American people. Rubin paints a vivid picture of a bureaucratic playground where government employees can visit foreign lands at the taxpayers’ expense and act like royalty, all while indulging their ideological whims.
… it used to be that USAID was supposed to be an extension that protected American interests. Under BARRACK OBAMA that changed. It then became the focus of advancing the so-called millennial goals that had been established. So it no longer became about projecting American power,… pic.twitter.com/prd1ZHn4yY
— Etzeterra (@etzeterra) February 4, 2025
The issue has gained traction recently, especially after billionaire Elon Musk shared that Trump is reportedly considering a complete shut down of the $40 billion agency. Established with noble intentions to assist developing nations, USAID has seemingly transformed into a breeding ground for the leftist agenda. Its employees are accused of channeling taxpayer dollars to pursue personal missions, from supporting terrorism in Gaza to pushing LGBT politics in Africa. This has raised eyebrows among conservatives who find it outrageous that their hard-earned money is fueling radical agendas overseas.
Not surprisingly, the left is not taking this potential dismantling lightly. Outrage erupted from Democratic leaders, who claimed Musk’s initiative is not just drastic but would also require legislation, something that needs to be handled by Congress—not by some billionaire who should stick to launching rockets and not dismantling federal programs. They argue that this could endanger lives and strengthen America’s rivals. One Democratic congressman even lamented that unelected individuals should not have the power to dictate foreign policy.
Trump’s unwavering criticism of USAID is gaining steam among conservatives, who see it as a long-overdue reckoning. This isn’t a recent debate; on his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order that froze foreign assistance, highlighting how the “foreign aid industry” often works against American interests. The findings surrounding USAID’s activities have brought to light malicious allegations, including funding organizations in Gaza that openly advocate for violence against Jews. Reports suggest that taxpayer-funded food meant for Syrian refugees has ended up in the hands of terrorists, in an administration that prides itself on national security.
As the extensive analysis continues to pile up, Trump appears adamant that these radical leftist agendas must end. He downplays the notion that Congress needs to be involved when it comes to addressing fraud and emphasizes that the agency’s lunacy must be eradicated. Meanwhile, USAID is already at odds with Trump’s other priorities, particularly regarding “diversity and equity” initiatives, which the president has vowed to eliminate. The Congressional Research Service indicates that Congress has allocated over $46 billion in emergency funds earmarked for accounts related to USAID since 2022, adding yet another layer to the complex web of American foreign aid that is causing concern among voters.
The stakes are high and Trump is poised to carry out this revolution against wasteful bureaucracy. The chatter surrounding USAID indicates that Americans are waking up and realizing that oversight and reform in the aid industry could lead to a new era where U.S. assistance truly aligns with American values and interests. So, grab the popcorn because the showdown over USAID is just heating up, and it promises to be a wild ride.
