What is the full form of USAID?
USAID stands for the United States Agency for International Development. It is an independent agency of the US government responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and development assistance worldwide.
Why is USAID in the news?
A video recently went viral featuring former US State Department official Mike Benz explaining to podcaster Joe Rogan the true nature of USAID. Benz claimed that there is no actual aid in USAID, stating it is not an aid organisation. According to him, USAID stands for the United States Agency for International Development, but what it truly develops are activist organisations in foreign countries that the State Department builds to gain influence. He argued that USAID was created to be a central hub for organising various foreign clandestine operations. Benz highlighted that USAID has a budget of $50 billion, noting that the entire intelligence community’s budget is only $72 billion. He suggested that USAID’s budget exceeds that of both the CIA and the State Department, describing the agency as a strategic player supporting the Pentagon, the State Department, and the intelligence community.

Benz is known for his critical views on government involvement in online content moderation and foreign influence operations. He often speaks about the intersection of technology, free speech, and government policy, particularly concerning how governments may support activist organisations and influence operations abroad. His commentary frequently addresses what he perceives as overreach by both domestic and international institutions in regulating information and civil liberties.
What is USAID?
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has long been seen as the face of American generosity abroad, responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and development assistance. Established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, USAID’s mission has been to promote global development, humanitarian relief, and democratic governance. For decades, the agency has operated in over 100 countries, addressing issues ranging from global health and economic growth to disaster response and democratic reforms. However, recent developments under the Trump administration have cast a shadow over USAID’s future, raising fundamental questions about its role, purpose, and effectiveness.
On 20 January 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14169, titled

“Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid.”

This order imposed a 90-day freeze on all US foreign development assistance programmes to conduct a comprehensive review of their efficiency and alignment with national interests. This abrupt halt has affected a wide range of global aid programmes, leading to furloughs and redundancies among aid workers both domestically and internationally. Critical projects in healthcare, food security, and education have been disrupted, leaving vulnerable populations in precarious situations.
The situation escalated further when two senior USAID security officials, John Voorhees and his deputy Brian McGill, were placed on administrative leave after refusing to grant the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) access to classified materials. DOGE, led by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, was granted sweeping powers to inspect and audit federal agencies, despite its teams lacking the necessary security clearances. The eventual access granted to DOGE operatives raised serious legal and ethical concerns regarding the handling of sensitive national security information.
USAID vs DOGE

Elon Musk, an outspoken critic of USAID, has publicly labelled the agency a “criminal organisation” and expressed his desire to see it dismantled. His DOGE initiative, created in collaboration with the Trump administration, aims to streamline government operations through aggressive budget cuts, deregulation, and the downsizing of federal workforces. DOGE’s actions have not been limited to USAID; similar operations have targeted other federal institutions, including the Treasury Department, where DOGE teams gained access to sensitive Social Security and Medicare payment systems, leading to the resignation of a senior Treasury official.
USAID’s official website went offline without explanation, sparking further speculation about the agency’s fate. Reports from within the agency suggest that DOGE operatives, identified by visitor badges, have been questioning employees about internal operations. The Trump administration has justified these actions by claiming that USAID is inefficient and misaligned with American interests. President Trump has criticised the agency, stating, “It’s been run by a bunch of radical lunatics. And we’re getting them out.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio has supported the foreign aid freeze, which has led to thousands of redundancies within aid organisations worldwide.
The dismantling of USAID has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers. Senator Elizabeth Warren has condemned the administration’s actions, accusing Trump of allowing Musk unauthorised access to sensitive information and undermining critical government functions. “We must do everything in our power to push back and protect people from harm,” Warren stated.
As the situation unfolds, the future of USAID hangs in the balance. The potential long-term consequences for US foreign policy, global humanitarian efforts, and national security are profound. The agency’s current predicament raises critical questions about the balance between governmental efficiency, the safeguarding of democratic institutions, and America’s commitment to international aid and development. In an era where political agendas often overshadow humanitarian priorities, the world watches to see whether USAID will continue to stand as a beacon of hope or become a casualty of shifting national interests.