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Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed that the United States will move away from “dumb” foreign aid programs that waste taxpayer money.
Some shit you should know before you read: Over the last two weeks, the controversy surrounding the dismantling of USAID has intensified, with reports uncovering instances of wasteful spending, including millions allocated to ineffective development programs and projects with little measurable impact. Critics argue that USAID has funneled funds into bureaucratic overhead and initiatives that do not directly serve U.S. interests, prompting calls for a reduction in aid to refocus spending on American citizens and strategic allies. However, others warn that completely gutting USAID will create a power vacuum that China is eager to fill, using foreign aid as a tool to expand its geopolitical influence in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.
What’s going on now: During an interview on The David Webb Show, Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the administration’s new approach to foreign aid, stressing that the US is not abandoning assistance altogether but rather eliminating ineffective programs. “We’re not walking away from foreign aid,” Rubio stated. “We are walking away from foreign aid that’s dumb, that’s stupid, that wastes American taxpayer money.” He outlined a vision where US aid is more targeted, supporting initiatives that align with national interests, such as preventing famine, stabilizing key regions, and countering extremist threats. Rubio also expressed concerns about the broad definition of humanitarian aid, arguing that “someone should do it, it just shouldn’t be the American taxpayer.”
Rubio’s comments come as President Trump moves to dismantle USAID, citing inefficiency and corruption. The administration has already halted USAID funding for 90 days, with Trump saying that corruption within the agency had “reached an unprecedented level.” Trump’s ultimate goal is to have the State Department absorb USAID’s functions, a shift Rubio has said he supports.
This has led to a heated debate over whether President Trump has the legal authority to dismantle USAID without congressional approval, as lawmakers argue that control over federal spending rests solely with Congress. Since foreign aid funds have already been allocated, some lawmakers insist that the administration cannot simply freeze or repurpose them without violating the Constitution’s separation of powers.
