After Further Legal Review – State Department Ends USAID as Independent Organization

The State Department ended the US Agency for International Development (USAID) as an independent organization.

From a press release:

Foreign assistance done right can advance our national interests, protect our borders, and strengthen our partnerships with key allies. Unfortunately, USAID strayed from its original mission long ago. As a result, the gains were too few and the costs were too high.

Thanks to President Trump, this misguided and fiscally irresponsible era is now over. We are reorienting our foreign assistance programs to align directly with what is best for the United States and our citizens. We are continuing essential lifesaving programs and making strategic investments that strengthen our partners and our own country. This is yet another promise made and delivered to the American people.

The move came after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit decided that President Donald Trump would likely “prove that the DOGE’s effort to dismantle USAID did not violate the Constitution.”

Congress did not establish the USAID. President John F. Kennedy formed the agency by executive order in 1961.

That is the difference between the USAID and other departments. For example, President Donald Trump cannot dissolve the Department of Education because its formation went through Congress.

According to an internal memo obtained by Fox News, the State Department will take over the USAID’s remaining operations and programs:

Now, the State Department is poised to officially take on USAID programs as part of a merger that aims to streamline operations to deliver foreign assistance, the memo said. It also will result in cuts for thousands of USAID employees.

“By bringing USAID’s core life-saving and strategic aid programs under the umbrella of the State Department, this Administration will significantly enhance the efficiency, accountability, uniformity, and strategic impact of foreign assistance programs — and ensure that our nation and President to speaks with one voice in foreign affairs,” Jeremy Lewin, who is performing the duties of USAID Deputy Administrator for Policy and Programming & Chief Operating Officer, said in a Friday statement to Fox News Digital.

The administration will cut a total of 4,650 personnel from USAID.

Between now and July, the State Department “will assess staffing requirements to proceed with an independent hiring process.”

The department will allow eligible USAID employees to “apply for those positions as remaining USAID personnel move to shut down or transfer USAID operations to the State Department.”

DOGE targeted USAID in late January. Elon Musk and others discovered massive fraud and waste within the agency that had a budget of over $50 billion.

State Department Ends USAID as Independent Organization