US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Monday that he had assumed control of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), pledging to end its “insubordination” to President Donald Trump’s agenda.
His statement follows Trump’s ally, billionaire Elon Musk, vowing to dismantle the agency, which saw its website go offline over the weekend. Rubio confirmed that the State Department had taken charge of the previously autonomous body.
Control Shift and Allegations
“I’m the acting director of USAID,” Rubio stated during a visit to El Salvador, though he added that day-to-day management would be handled by a staff member.
Previously a supporter of foreign aid as a senator, Rubio now claims that USAID has been operating like an “independent non-governmental entity” and acting against US national strategy.
“In many cases, USAID is involved in programmes that run counter to what we’re trying to achieve,” he said, asserting that past attempts to reform the agency over the last 20 to 30 years had failed.
Concerns Over Funding and Oversight
Rubio also accused USAID officials—many of whom have been placed on leave—of refusing to answer the Trump administration’s questions regarding funding and programme priorities.
“That level of insubordination makes it impossible to conduct a serious review,” he said. “It’s going to stop and it’s going to end.”