WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio as acting administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a move that comes as the administration faces criticism from Democrats over efforts to restructure the agency.
On Sunday night, President Trump has issued a sharp attack on USAID, bluntly describing its leadership as ideologically extreme.
“It’s been run by a bunch of radical lunatics, and we’re getting them out. USAID, run by radical lunatics, and we’re getting them out, and then we’ll make a decision,” he declared.
Rubio, who is currently on his first foreign trip to Latin America as secretary of state, will take on the role in an interim capacity as the administration reassesses USAID’s operations.
The State Department’s Office of the Spokesman issued a statement defending the decision, saying, “It is now abundantly clear that significant portions of USAID funding are not aligned with the core national interests of the United States.”
The State Department described the appointment as “an interim step” toward gaining control and a better understanding of the agency’s activities.
Rubio has notified Congress that a review of USAID’s foreign assistance programs is underway, with a focus on potential reorganization.
“As we evaluate USAID and ensure it is in alignment with an America First agenda and the efforts of the State Department, we will continue to protect the American people’s interests and ensure their tax dollars are not wasted,” Rubio said.
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