The U.S. Agency for International Development has officially closed, marking “the beginning of a new era of global partnership, peace, investment, and prosperity,” according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Starting Tuesday, the Department of State will take over the work of USAID.
In March, Rubio announced that 83% of USAID programs were being canceled and the agency’s remaining work would be folded into the State Department.
“This era of government-sanctioned inefficiency has officially come to an end,” Rubio said in a lengthy statement on Tuesday.
“Foreign assistance programs that align with administration policies—and which advance American interests—will be administered by the State Department, where they will be delivered with more accountability, strategy, and efficiency,” Rubio said.
USAID was first established in 1961 and viewed as a form of diplomacy, but over time, Rubio says, “USAID marketed its programs as a charity, rather than instruments of American foreign policy intended to advance our national interests.”
Since taking office, President Donald Trump has sought to implement an “America First” agenda, refocusing foreign aid and tax dollars to serve the primary interests of the U.S. as the Trump administration defines.