The Trump administration is reportedly moving forward with plans to shutter the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) as part of its broader budget cuts. The move has sparked alarm among international humanitarian organizations, warning of catastrophic consequences.
Elon Musk, appointed by Trump to spearhead the cuts, claims the decision could reduce U.S. government spending by up to $1 trillion. Musk has framed the closure as part of a battle against corruption within USAID, which he has disparaged as a “criminal organization.”
USAID’s Washington headquarters has been closed to staff as of February 3, 2025, with sources confirming the agency’s offices will remain shut. This comes after Musk criticized USAID’s operations, claiming it was being “run by a group of radical madmen.” Trump himself echoed this sentiment, asserting that USAID is “being dismantled.”
The agency, which handles over 40% of global humanitarian aid, has seen its leadership shake-up recently, with reports indicating the temporary suspension of senior security officials who attempted to block access to USAID’s computer systems.
Democratic senators have condemned the move, sending a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging a re-evaluation of the decision. Rubio, who heads the State Department, has frozen new funding for foreign assistance programs, aligning them with Trump’s foreign policy.
USAID has had a significant presence in Kosovo, investing over $1 billion since 1999 in programs spanning anti-corruption, rule of law, and economic development.
In Kosovo, USAID’s funding has been crucial to local economic growth, particularly in the wood-processing sector. Businesses like that of Kreshnik Shehu have seen exports grow from €2.5 million to over €150 million thanks to USAID’s support.
Global concerns are rising over the consequences of halting such aid, particularly in crisis regions like Ukraine and Afghanistan, where millions rely on U.S. assistance.
