Former Presidents and Bono Bid Emotional Farewell to USAID
On Monday, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) closed a chapter as an independent entity after six decades of humanitarian and development work. Established during President John F. Kennedy's administration to promote U.S. national security through global goodwill, USAID has now been absorbed into the State Department following directives from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
In a poignant virtual gathering, former presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush shared heartfelt critiques of the Trump administration's drastic reduction of USAID’s autonomy, alongside U2’s Bono, who delivered an emotional tribute to the agency’s employees.
Strong Voices Against USAID’s Absorption
Obama described the agency's dissolution as “a colossal mistake”, emphasizing the vital role USAID has played in saving lives and advancing U.S. interests globally. Bush, the architect of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), highlighted the significance of the agency’s HIV/AIDS program, noting that 25 million lives had been saved through its efforts and questioned the rationale behind dismantling such achievements.
Bono, known for his longstanding advocacy for global development, appeared visibly moved as he praised the USAID staff as “the best of us”. His words underscored the deep respect and admiration held for the agency’s humanitarian mission even amid political upheaval.
Background and Agency Impact
USAID, conceived as a civilian foreign aid body, has been instrumental in launching programs across health, education, economic development, and environmental sustainability worldwide. However, earlier this year, Secretary Rubio announced its integration into the State Department, citing cost-cutting and efficiency improvements under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a unit established during the Trump administration and overseen by Elon Musk.
The transition was abrupt; many staff members reported being locked out of their offices and terminated via mass email. Trump had publicly disparaged USAID as managed by “radical lunatics,” while Musk referred to it as a “criminal organization” on social media platforms, fueling tensions and controversy.
Reflections from Leaders and What Lies Ahead
In addition to Obama and Bush, prominent figures such as former Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, ex-Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield voiced their support and gratitude for USAID workers during the farewell event.
Bush stated: “You’ve showed the great strength of America through your work—and that is your good heart.”
Obama added: “Gutting USAID is a travesty and a tragedy because it’s some of the most important work happening anywhere in the world.”
The State Department, defending the move, assured the public that the newly integrated structure will ensure better oversight and align foreign aid with America’s national interests. A new foreign assistance initiative called America First is expected to be unveiled soon under this reorganization.
Looking to the Future
As USAID staffers face an uncertain future, the agency’s legacy in global development and humanitarian assistance remains undeniable. Despite political battles and structural changes, many hope that the core mission to foster global stability, health, and prosperity will endure, carried forward under the State Department's expanded purview.
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