Trump administration cuts 83% of USAID programs, focuses on national interests

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the cancellation of 83 per cent of programs funded and administered by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

The decision, made on March 10, follows a six-week review of the agency’s operations and is part of the Trump administration's broader efforts to reshape government institutions, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

After a 6 week review we are officially cancelling 83% of the programs at USAID.

The 5200 contracts that are now cancelled spent tens of billions of dollars in ways that did not serve, (and in some cases even harmed), the core national interests of the United States.

In…

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) March 10, 2025

Rubio shared the news on social media, explaining the rationale behind the move. “After a 6 week review we are officially cancelling 83 per cent of the programs at USAID.

The 5200 contracts that are now cancelled spent tens of billions of dollars in ways that did not serve, (and in some cases even harmed), the core national interests of the United States,” he wrote.

In his statement, Rubio emphasized that the remaining 18 per cent of USAID programs—approximately 1,000 contracts—will be retained but will now be administered more effectively under the State Department.

“In consultation with Congress, we intend for the remaining 18 per cent of programs we are keeping to now be administered more effectively under the State Department,” Rubio added.

The decision follows recent actions by the Trump administration, including a reduction in USAID’s workforce. Last month, USAID's direct-hire staffers were placed on leave unless deemed essential, with some employees fired or put on "administrative leave." Additionally, a reduction in force was announced, initially affecting 2,000 US-based jobs, but later revised to 1,600 employees facing job disruptions.

The restructuring comes in the wake of a ruling by a Trump-appointed judge, allowing the administration to place thousands of workers on leave as part of a review of US-backed foreign assistance programs.

In his statement, Rubio also thanked the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the hardworking staff for their efforts in implementing the reform, calling it “an overdue and historic reform.”

By Vafa Guliyeva