President Donald Trump announced that officials from US Customs and Border Protection will now be working out of the former headquarters of the US Agency for International Development (USAID). This move comes as part of the administration's efforts to reduce foreign aid and strengthen immigration enforcement.
During his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Trump stated, 'We've also effectively ended the left-wing scam known as USAID. The agency's name has been removed from its former building, and that space will now house agents from Customs and Border Patrol.'
USAID, which provided humanitarian and development aid globally, has faced significant changes under the Trump administration. A federal judge recently approved the removal of thousands of staff members from their positions, both in the US and abroad, as part of the administration's plan to dismantle the agency.
Elon Musk made headlines by referring to feeding USAID to a 'woodchipper,' highlighting the contentious nature of the agency's dissolution.
The actions taken by the Trump administration have resulted in billions of dollars of aid being left in limbo, impacting critical global health programs, early warning systems, and food security efforts. The president and White House officials have defended these decisions by arguing that USAID spending was wasteful and not in line with the administration's 'America First' policies.
With the repurposing of the former USAID headquarters to accommodate Customs and Border Patrol agents, the shift in priorities within the federal government is becoming increasingly evident.
