Obama, Bush criticize Trump administration for ‘gutting USAID’
Former Presidents Barack Obama adn George W. Bush criticized the Trump management for its decision to merge the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) into the State Department, marking the agency’s last day as an self-reliant entity. In a farewell video tribute, Obama condemned the move, describing it as a “travesty” and asserting that it undermines significant humanitarian work globally. He emphasized the importance of USAID, which has historically focused on development efforts, warning that the Trump administration was planning to cut approximately 90% of its programs. Bush echoed these sentiments, highlighting the positive impact of USAID’s work in saving millions of lives. Bono, the famous musician known for his humanitarian efforts, also participated in the tribute, sharing an emotional poem. Simultaneously occurring, Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously voiced concerns about bureaucracy and ideological biases within USAID, citing these as reasons for the program cuts.
Obama, Bush criticize Trump administration for ‘gutting USAID’
Former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush directly criticized the Trump administration’s move to fold the U.S. Agency for International Development into the State Department on Monday during a video tribute for the agency’s staffers.
The former presidents teamed up with Bono for a farewell video marking the organization’s last day as an independent agency. During the send-off, Obama slammed the move, saying, “Gutting USAID is a travesty, and it’s a tragedy.”
“It’s some of the most important work happening anywhere in the world,” Obama said.
According to the Trump administration, about 90% of the program created by President John F. Kennedy to promote humanitarian and development efforts is being cut. USAID had an original budget of $58.8 billion for fiscal 2025, which was put in place by the Biden administration.
Bush also spoke in a recorded video.
“You’ve shown the great strength of America through your work, and that is your good heart. Is it in our national interests that 25 million people who would have died now live? I think it is, and so do you,” Bush said.
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Bono, hailed as the call’s surprise guest, held back tears as he read an original poem about the change. He is known for his humanitarian efforts in Africa.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously spoke on the troubles USAID has had, including being rife with bureaucracy and radical ideologies. Some of Rubio and President Donald Trump’s reasoning for cutting specific programs, such as the Economic Support Fund, was the promotion of “radical gender and climate projects.”
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