Washington, USA: President Donald Trump is exploring a merger between the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department to streamline operations and align spending with his administration's priorities. Elon Musk has been appointed to lead the overhaul of USAID, with the goal of improving efficiency and reducing federal waste. Musk’s critical remarks about USAID, including claims that it is “beyond repair,” have raised concerns about political influence on the restructuring.

This move follows Trump’s freeze on foreign aid programs, including USAID’s, as part of his “America First” policy. The freeze, which halted billions in humanitarian aid, has sparked debate over its impact on vulnerable populations. The potential merger could affect U.S. foreign aid distribution, with the U.S. being the largest global donor.

In addition, Marco Rubio has been appointed as acting USAID administrator, criticizing the agency’s unresponsiveness. Recent tensions have led to the temporary closure of USAID’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., following security concerns. Democratic lawmakers are planning protests, calling the closure an “illegal shutdown.”

Experts are concerned that the freeze on foreign aid and operational disruptions could severely harm humanitarian efforts, with key personnel unable to access government accounts, hindering the agency’s ability to provide emergency assistance.