Part 2/13:
Recently, the Trump administration took unprecedented steps to overhaul the Department of State’s foreign aid apparatus, notably targeting the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In a bold move, the administration announced sweeping layoffs and began integrating what remained of USAID into the State Department. Historically, USAID has been considered a cornerstone of American soft power—helping shape global influence, providing aid, and advancing U.S. strategic interests abroad. Critics, however, have long argued that some of its initiatives resemble a “boondoggle,” fueling wastefulness and supporting left-leaning programs with questionable efficacy.