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Rubio Defends USAID Amid Closure Criticism from Leaders

12/20/2025

Summary

Story summary

Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) after its 2025 absorption by State Department.
He argued fears of disaster were unfounded, citing Jamaica's Hurricane Melissa response.
Critics, including Senator Bernie Sanders and former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, condemned the closure as harmful to global aid.
USAID faced closure in July after the Department of Government Efficiency targeted it for wasteful spending.

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Story summary

Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) after its 2025 absorption by State Department.
He argued fears of disaster were unfounded, citing Jamaica's Hurricane Melissa response.
Critics, including Senator Bernie Sanders and former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, condemned the closure as harmful to global aid.
USAID faced closure in July after the Department of Government Efficiency targeted it for wasteful spending.