Republicans Celebrate USAIDs Demise

Mike Waltz, National Security Adviser under President Trump, recently defended the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) funding freeze, as well as the growing influence of tech billionaire Elon Musk over the federal government. Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, Waltz addressed concerns about the cuts to USAID, which have effectively halted the agency’s international aid programs. These changes align with Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is pushing for efficiency reforms across multiple federal agencies.

Waltz emphasized that many USAID initiatives do not align with U.S. national interests, such as countering the growing influence of China. He criticized the agency’s focus on unrelated global issues, saying, “Too often, these programs do not serve the strategic interests of the U.S., especially when it comes to pushing back on China. We need to focus on what truly benefits America.” He also pointed out that the aid dollars don’t reach the people who need them, as too much of the funding is eaten up by a bloated network of contractors and subcontractors.

The freeze on foreign aid has caused concerns among Democrats and led to a lawsuit, especially with DOGE now having access to the Treasury Department’s federal payment system. Despite this, Waltz stood firm, arguing that the USAID budget had grown excessively large over the years, and insisted that America’s international reputation would remain intact without the costly foreign aid programs.

Waltz also praised Elon Musk’s involvement in government, particularly in the Department of Defense, calling for a major overhaul of Pentagon spending. “The American people have had enough of the wasteful spending and growing debt,” he said. “With interest payments on our national debt surpassing the entire defense budget, we need innovative leaders like Musk to step in and tackle the inefficiencies plaguing the Pentagon’s acquisition process.” Waltz’s remarks highlight the Republican call for fiscal responsibility and reducing government waste.