At USAID, Waste and Abuse Runs Deep

Press Releases

TLDR

This analysis debunks a White House press release criticizing USAID waste. USAID manages $72B in foreign aid across 100+ countries under congressional oversight. Claims about a Serbian DEI program were inaccurate, and the agency is currently under a 90-day assistance freeze, affecting global operations and staffing.

The press release by the White House about waste at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) contains significant misstatements and inaccuracies.

USAID Budget and Oversight

USAID operates under congressional oversight and manages approximately $72 billion in foreign assistance across more than 100 nations, representing less than 1% of the total U.S. budget.

Project Claims Analysis

Serbia DEI Program

The $1.5 million figure is inaccurate. The actual program is $2 million and focuses on economic development and workplace integration. The program aims to improve employment opportunities and business development in Serbia through 2025.

Core Operations

  • USAID was established in 1961 during the Cold War to counter Soviet influence
  • The agency operates under the Foreign Assistance Act with congressional authorization
  • Programs focus on global health, poverty reduction, emergency relief, and democratic institution building

Current Status

The agency is currently under a 90-day freeze on foreign assistance implemented by the Trump administration. This has resulted in:

  • Suspension of thousands of programs globally
  • Furloughs and layoffs of contractors
  • Closure of Washington headquarters
  • Deactivation of agency website and social media

Financial Context

Ukraine received the largest portion of aid in FY2023 at $16 billion, followed by Ethiopia at $1.7 billion. These allocations were made through established congressional oversight processes.

Agency Management

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has indicated that programs are being reviewed to ensure they contribute to U.S. safety, strength, and prosperity. The review process aims to evaluate program effectiveness rather than eliminate the agency entirely.

Questionable Sources

This press release unprecedently cites:

  • The Daily Mail
  • The Daily Caller
  • The Washington Examiner
  • Breibart

as credible news sources.

The press release’s characterization of USAID as “unaccountable” is contradicted by the existence of congressional oversight, public reporting requirements, and regular program evaluations.

ACTIONS

LITIGATION

  • 2025-02-10: 1:25-cv-00400 - AIDS Vaccine Coalition and the Journalism Development Network, Inc., Public Ctiizen, sued the State Department, USAID, Secretary Rubio, OMB, OMB Director Russ Vought, and President Trump for the actions taken the dismantle USAID and foreign aid freeze. The plaintiffs argue that the aid freeze and stop work order violate the separation of powers, the Take Care Clause, and the Administrative Procedures Act.
  • 2025-02-06: 1:25-cv-00352 - The American Foreign Service and the American Federation of Government Employees, represented by Public Citizen and Democracy Forward, sued President Trump, the State Department, USAID, Secretary of State Rubio, and Secretary of Treasury Bessent. The plaintiffs are seeking injuctive relief for the actions taken by the Trump administration to dismantle USAID, including the stop work order and laying off USAID contractors. The suit allege these actions violate the seperation of powers, the Take Care Clause, and the Administrative Procedure Act.

For decades, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been unaccountable to taxpayers as it funnels massive sums of money to the ridiculous — and, in many cases, malicious — pet projects of entrenched bureaucrats, with next-to-no oversight.

Here are only a few examples of the WASTE and ABUSE:

The list literally goes on and on — and it has all been happening for decades.

Under President Trump, the waste, fraud, and abuse ENDS NOW.