The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) experienced a significant disruption this weekend, with its official website going offline and its X account disappearing. The outages follow President Donald Trump’s executive order halting most American foreign aid programs for 90 days in order to reassess overseas spending.
As of Saturday afternoon, visitors to the USAID website were met with an error message stating that the “server IP address could not be found.” Later that same day, the agency’s X account, previously used to communicate updates and information, also went offline. These digital disruptions come amid reports that the Trump administration is considering merging USAID with the State Department.
Trump’s executive order, signed last week, freezes U.S. foreign aid for a three-month period, citing a need to review and reassess how taxpayer dollars are spent abroad. The order specifically highlights concerns over the misallocation of funds, alleging that billions of dollars are being directed to programs that do not serve American interests and, in some cases, undermine them.
In a statement, the White House framed the decision as part of Trump’s broader “America First” policy, which aims to cut wasteful spending and focus resources on domestic priorities. USAID, which is responsible for overseeing humanitarian and development programs worldwide, has seen its operations dramatically affected by the order. In 2023, USAID allocated more than $60 billion for foreign assistance.
Adding to the uncertainty, reports emerged on Friday that the Trump administration is considering eliminating USAID’s independence, possibly merging the agency with the State Department. Sources familiar with the discussions revealed that the National Security Council has held meetings on the issue, and legal avenues are being explored to issue an executive order formalizing the reorganization. Some insiders suggested that the executive order could be signed as early as this weekend. Photographs taken at USAID headquarters showed that the agency’s official seal had already been removed from several locations, fueling speculation about the potential merger.
The proposed reorganization has faced backlash from critics, including Senator Chris Murphy, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Murphy condemned the idea, warning that it could face significant legal challenges. In a post on X, Murphy argued, “A president cannot eliminate an appropriated federal agency by executive order. That’s what a despot – who wants to steal the taxpayers’ money to enrich his billionaire cabal – does.”
Billionaire Elon Musk, known for his advisory role on federal government downsizing, reacted to the proposal, saying: “Live by executive order, die by executive order.”
USAID, established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy through an executive order, consolidates various foreign assistance programs under one agency. Its mission has focused on promoting global economic growth, responding to humanitarian crises, and advancing U.S. national security interests worldwide.
However, the agency’s effectiveness has come under increasing scrutiny. Critics, including experts like Walter Kerr, co-executive director of Unlock Aid, argue that USAID’s programs often fail to produce measurable results. “About 98 percent of USAID grants pay for activities and not results,” Kerr remarked earlier this month. “Less than 10 percent of our foreign assistance dollars flowing through USAID is actually reaching those communities.”
