seniorspectrumnewspaper – Barack Obama and George W. Bush issued rare public criticisms of the Trump administration’s closure of USAID, warning of dire consequences. Their remarks came during a video farewell for the agency’s staff, held on its final day as an independent entity. The US Agency for International Development, founded in 1961, had long been seen as a cornerstone of American humanitarian leadership.
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In March, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the government had terminated 83% of USAID’s programs. The administration is now folding the agency into the State Department under a new initiative called America First. Obama described the decision to dismantle USAID as a “colossal mistake” and a “travesty.” He emphasized that the agency has saved lives and boosted global economic growth. He assured staffers that their work holds long-term value and will continue to make a difference for generations.
George W. Bush highlighted USAID’s critical role in managing the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar), which has saved more than 25 million lives. He asked whether saving those lives served the national interest and answered, “I think it is, and so do you.” He praised the agency’s staff for their compassion and dedication, saying their efforts reflect the true strength of America through humanitarian action.
The event brought together global leaders and aid workers, many of whom joined from overseas. Former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and former Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos delivered remarks. Bono, the Irish singer and activist, recited a poem he wrote to honor USAID staff. Several participants shared personal stories showing how USAID had transformed lives during times of crisis.
Study Warns of Millions of Preventable Deaths from Aid Cuts
A new study published in The Lancet recently revealed that USAID’s abrupt defunding could lead to over 14 million additional deaths by 2030. Notably, one-third of those projected deaths would be among children. According to the researchers, this global impact could rival that of a major pandemic or armed conflict. Importantly, they emphasized that these deaths stem from a policy decision—one that could still be reversed.
Over the past two decades, USAID’s programs in healthcare, nutrition, and development have helped prevent more than 91 million deaths. The cuts threaten progress in fighting diseases such as HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis. Dr. Francisco Saúte, one of the study’s authors, said cutting this funding undermines decades of work that built vital health infrastructure. The study also warned that USAID’s collapse could prompt other international donors to pull back, worsening the crisis. In 2023, the United States contributed 43% of global government humanitarian aid. That leadership role now hangs in the balance as funding mechanisms unravel.
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Critics of the closure have also pointed to the sudden nature of the decision. Partner organizations were ordered to halt operations immediately in February, and staff were terminated via mass emails. Legal challenges have been filed, and development experts are urging lawmakers to reconsider the cuts. As the UN holds talks in Seville on financing for development, experts say reversing the USAID cuts is crucial to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. They argue now is the time to expand global aid—not dismantle it.
