Rubio Takes Over as Acting USAID Administrator “`

The agency’s operations must align with U.S. national interests and foreign policy objectives, the Secretary of State has emphasized.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Monday he’s now the acting administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Reports earlier that day indicated the agency had closed its headquarters.

President Trump has criticized the agency’s leadership, calling them “radical lunatics,” and proposed significant organizational changes. USAID has also faced scrutiny from the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Elon Musk, a close Trump advisor.

“I am the acting director of USAID,” Rubio told reporters in El Salvador. He added that he’d delegated day-to-day management to a staff member, but declined to name the individual.

“This isn’t about ending USAID programs, per se,” Rubio clarified, noting that some programs are beneficial while others warrant further review. He insisted that all USAID activities “must align with the national interest and foreign policy of the United States.” He provided no specifics on planned changes.

He previously mentioned a program-by-program review to assess which initiatives enhance American safety, strength, or prosperity.

Musk earlier claimed Trump had agreed to shut down USAID entirely. The President also labeled the agency a “criminal organization,” alleging its involvement in bioweapons research, including projects purportedly linked to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Established in 1961, USAID is a soft-power agency distributing billions of dollars annually to projects furthering U.S. interests globally under the guise of humanitarian development. Trump recently suspended all USAID programs for 90 days, mandating a case-by-case review. According to Rubio, this action resulted in “increased cooperation” from aid recipients.

The agency’s website went offline, and its X account (formerly Twitter) disappeared over the weekend. On Monday, USAID reportedly closed its Washington, D.C., headquarters, instructing personnel to stay away.