The Dismantling of USAID Under the Trump Administration

The Trump administration's approach to foreign aid, particularly through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy. Following Donald Trump's inauguration in January 2025, the administration initiated a series of cuts and restructuring efforts that led to the dissolution of USAID as an independent agency, merging it into the State Department by mid-2025. This transformation was framed under an "America first" ideology, emphasizing a move from humanitarian assistance to business-oriented relationships.

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USAID was established in 1961 as a key instrument of U.S. foreign policy aimed at improving global living conditions. The agency had historically been a leader in international health initiatives, including a notable $15 billion commitment to combat HIV under President George W. Bush. However, the Trump administration's policies sought to redefine this role, prioritizing trade over aid and significantly reducing funding for various programs.

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Nicholas Enrich, a former acting assistant administrator for global health at USAID, emerged as a critical voice against the administration's changes. His account, detailed in his book "Into the Wood Chipper," highlights the internal turmoil and the perceived incompetence of new appointees. Oxfam, a prominent humanitarian organization, also voiced concerns about the impacts of these cuts, estimating that millions would lose access to education and healthcare.

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The cuts to USAID were severe, with over 80% of its programs canceled. Enrich noted that these changes could lead to dire consequences, including the potential loss of access to basic healthcare for 95 million people and the risk of over 3 million preventable deaths annually. The dismantling of USAID's infrastructure also jeopardized critical health initiatives, such as drug-resistant tuberculosis trials, which were halted due to funding freezes.

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Critics of the Trump administration's approach argue that the "trade over aid" strategy undermines U.S. soft power and erodes long-standing partnerships with nations that rely on American aid. Enrich emphasized that the abrupt dismantling of USAID not only jeopardized health initiatives but also created new national security threats by leaving the U.S. blind to potential disease outbreaks.

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Enrich's reflections on the administration's actions reveal a deep concern for the future of U.S. foreign aid. He stated, “When we turn our backs on the world, and break the promises we made to millions of people, it erodes the soft power partnerships that the U.S. had built over the years.” He also criticized the administration's lack of understanding of USAID's mission, asserting that the changes were not a genuine attempt to realign foreign aid but rather a dismantling driven by ignorance.

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The future of USAID remains uncertain, particularly under administrations with differing foreign policy priorities. Enrich advocates for the restoration of USAID, arguing that it is essential for maintaining U.S. influence and humanitarian commitments globally. The ongoing debate about the role of foreign aid in U.S. policy continues to evolve as the implications of these cuts become clearer.

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• “I wanted to let people know what happened and however bad they thought that it might be inside USAID when Doge came in to tear it apart, it was way worse – especially the incompetence, ignorance and cruelty that came along with it,” — Nicholas Enrich, Author

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• “The effect of these cuts on people is dire: at least 23 million children stand to lose access to education, and as many as 95 million people would lose access to basic healthcare, potentially leading to more than 3 million preventable deaths per year,” — Oxfam

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• “At some point I realized that if I didn’t speak up from my position as a government official it was just going to be too late. This was not an attempt to realign foreign aid in a way that made sense, or make it more aligned with ‘America first’. This was a group of people who did not know what the agency did but really did not know or care what it was they were tearing apart.” — Nicholas Enrich, Author

The Guardian

• “It is politically naive to think that Kennedy’s plan was purely altruistic – it was designed to counter Soviet influence during the cold war.” — Nicholas Enrich, Author

The Guardian

The dismantling of USAID under the Trump administration represents a pivotal moment in U.S. foreign policy, with lasting implications for global health and humanitarian efforts.

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