On February 2nd, the Trump administration removed two top security officials from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) after they attempted to prevent representatives from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing restricted parts of the building, according to Reuters. 

Since its creation in 1961 under President John F. Kennedy, USAID has been the backbone of American Foreign Policy. The agency provides critical aid in disaster zones and conflict areas and crucial economic support in developing regions of the world. The creation of USAID was part of a broader strategy to promote diplomacy during the Cold War and has been a prominent organization in international relations since then. However, USAID has also been a major target of political debates. In recent years, policymakers have criticized the organization, claiming it prioritizes international development over domestic concerns. Calls to reform USAID have gained popularity through Trump’s general campaign agenda, which aligns closely with his “America First” approach to foreign policy. His administration’s skepticism toward international institutions and foreign diplomacy has made USAID a target for restructuring.

According to a senior Senate Democratic aide, when personnel in the building tried to turn away the Department of Government Efficiency agents, “They were threatened with action by the federal Marshals Service.” Following the incident, the director of USAID security, John Voorhes, confirmed that he and his deputy were placed on leave. President Donald Trump has claimed that USAID has “been run by a bunch of radical lunatics, and we are getting them out.” Furthermore, Reuters noted that Trump has frozen billions of dollars of global life-saving aid that the organization provides to places across the globe. According to President Trump, freezing U.S. foreign aid is necessary to ensure that money is distributed with his new “America First” policy. U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Brian Mast also stated that he would support moving USAID under the State Department and that there needs to be “more command and control.” Mast further noted that the “purging of people throughout the State Department” and freezing aid were “all essential and necessary steps to ensure that we secure America.” Elon Musk, who currently heads the Department of Government Efficiency, also claims that the organization is “beyond repair” and must be terminated. 

The systematic restructuring of USAID is a genuine point of concern. Removing long-term professionals from USAID reflects a broader trend of undermining U.S. diplomacy and soft power. By restructuring the agency, President Trump is not only weakening the United State’s role in global development but also jeopardizing many vulnerable groups of people who rely on the United States for food, healthcare, and economic support through USAID. Freezing this necessary aid could create a significant global humanitarian crisis. With the Trump administration’s new “America First” policy, there is a growing concern over the agency’s future, credibility, and effectiveness. The U.S. has long been a provider of foreign aid, and the removal of this aid signals reduced leadership in some areas of the world and the potential weakening of global partnerships. If President Trump truly wants to restructure the agency, he must implement transparent and effective reforms rather than firing personnel and cutting global funding.

As the Trump administration continues to scale down USAID, the future of American humanitarianism remains unclear. Removing two top officials signals a new era for the once prominent and impactful U.S. institution. Those who rely on USAID relief will continue to face growing uncertainty, as will the professionals who have invested their lives in humanitarianism.