Photo: MARK SCHIEFELBEIN / AFP / Getty Images
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Monday (February 3) that he is now the acting director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This follows the Trump administration's decision to pause federal foreign spending and implement layoffs at the agency. Speaking in El Salvador, Rubio criticized USAID for its lack of transparency regarding its use of taxpayer funds.
"Their attitude is, 'We don't have to answer to you because we are independent, we answer to no one.' Well, that's not true, and that will no longer be the case," Rubio said.
Earlier, Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency, declared the shutdown of USAID with President Donald Trump's approval. Employees were informed via email that the Washington, D.C., headquarters would be closed, and they should work from home. The agency has faced chaos, with numerous layoffs and furloughs since the executive order to pause foreign assistance.
Some Democratic members of Congress, including Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii, have opposed the administration's actions, arguing that USAID's dissolution requires congressional approval.
To protest the move, Schatz said that he is placing a "blanket hold" on all of President Trump's nominees to the State Department.
USAID, established in 1961, manages billions in humanitarian aid globally. Rubio mentioned that while he is the acting director, he has delegated the authority to another individual, though he did not specify who. He emphasized that USAID's activities must align with U.S. national interests and foreign policy.