Majority of Programs Axed for Good [WATCH]

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Monday that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will see 83% of its programs canceled, marking a significant shift in the Trump administration’s efforts to overhaul federal agencies and eliminate what it deems unnecessary or harmful spending.

Rubio made the announcement on social media, explaining that after a six-week review, 5,200 USAID contracts were terminated, citing their failure to serve the national interests of the United States.

“After a 6 week review we are officially cancelling 83% of the programs at USAID. The 5200 contracts that are now cancelled spent tens of billions of dollars in ways that did not serve, (and in some cases even harmed), the core national interests of the United States.”

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Rubio stated that of the remaining 18% of programs—approximately 1,000 contracts—they will now be more effectively administered under the State Department in consultation with Congress.

“In consultation with Congress, we intend for the remaining 18% of programs we are keeping (approximately 1000) to now be administered more effectively under the State Department,” Rubio added.

He also thanked DOGE and staff members for their work in carrying out the restructuring.

“Thank you to DOGE and our hardworking staff who worked very long hours to achieve this overdue and historic reform.”

After a 6 week review we are officially cancelling 83% of the programs at USAID.

The 5200 contracts that are now cancelled spent tens of billions of dollars in ways that did not serve, (and in some cases even harmed), the core national interests of the United States.

In…

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) March 10, 2025

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The announcement follows last month’s administrative shake-up at USAID, where the Trump administration placed non-essential direct-hire staffers on leave while others were either fired or reassigned.

Breitbart News previously reported that USAID had planned to reduce 2,000 U.S.-based jobs, though a later notice revised that figure to 1,600 employees affected.

A Trump-appointed federal judge recently ruled in favor of the administration’s ability to place thousands of employees on leave in order to review U.S.-backed foreign aid programs.

The latest cuts are a direct result of that review.

USAID disbursed $72 billion in taxpayer-funded aid worldwide in fiscal year 2023, financing a range of controversial programs, including:

• Gender-affirming health care in Guatemala
• Teaching people in Kazakhstan to counter Internet trolls
• Voluntary male circumcision programs in Mozambique
• Job creation initiatives for LGBTQI+ youth in Serbia

Additionally, the United States has funneled over $3 billion to Mexico since 2008 through USAID programs aimed at combating drug cartels.

However, despite these efforts, cartels have only grown stronger, continuing to flood the U.S. with illicit narcotics, including fentanyl.

The Trump administration has made it clear that USAID will face major restructuring, with a stronger emphasis on ensuring taxpayer dollars align with core national interests.

With Rubio’s latest move, the agency is undergoing one of the most significant shake-ups in its history.

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