**Trump Appoints Rubio to Head USAID**
US President Donald Trump has appointed Senator Marco Rubio as the acting administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID). This move comes after billionaire Elon Musk said he had Trump’s approval to shut down the agency.
According to a statement from the State Department, Trump named Rubio to take control of USAID “as an interim step towards gaining better understanding over the agency’s activity”. The statement claimed that USAID had “strayed from its original mission” and would be evaluated to ensure it aligns with Trump’s “America First agenda”.
**USAID Under Threat**
USAID is the US government’s lead humanitarian aid agency, providing funding for initiatives such as women’s health in conflict zones and HIV/AIDS treatment. However, Trump’s administration has been critical of the agency, announcing a 90-day freeze on foreign assistance during his first days in office.
In January, Musk called USAID “a criminal organization” and claimed that Trump had agreed to shut it down. As a result, USAID staff were locked out of their computer network and told not to go to work at the agency’s headquarters.
**Lawmakers Protest**
Democratic lawmakers have assembled outside USAID headquarters to protest Trump’s attacks on the agency. Senator Chris Van Hollen said the takeover was an “illegal power grab” and a “corrupt abuse of power”.
**USAID’s Work in Ukraine**
Despite the threats, USAID has provided significant funding to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion. The agency has given $2.6 billion in humanitarian aid, $5 billion in development assistance, and over $30 billion in direct budget support.
This funding has helped rebuild schools, finance bomb shelters, and equip hospitals with advanced medical equipment.
