The White House grossly misjudged in assuming most Americans would be OK with eliminating the U.S. Agency for International Development and most foreign assistance programs, Sojourners President Adam Russell Taylor said.
Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency made quick work of USAID soon after Donald Trump took office, eliminating thousands of positions and successfully eliminating 83% of USAID’s overseas aid programs so far.
Adam Russell Taylor
“USAID was chosen as a first agency to target because there was a belief that most Americans don’t know what USAID does or support these development and humanitarian programs,” Taylor said during a March 12 “moral courage” vigil convened by numerous interfaith advocacy organizations.
“But that assumption is simply not true, particularly for the majority of the faith community who believes deeply that USAID and foreign aid are a direct expression of our deepest and most sacred faith values, and of our commitment to advance justice, compassion and dignity around the world,” he said.
A University of Maryland study conducted in early February found 89% of Americans want the U.S. to spend at least 1% of the federal budget on international aid as it has for decades. Majorities of Democrats (94%) and Republicans (84%) share that view.
The gathering near the U.S. Capitol was part of a weekly series of vigils organized by partners in the Washington Interfaith Staff Community and co-sponsored by organizations including Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, the Episcopal Church, Franciscan Action Network, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and Interfaith Alliance.
The event included a moment of prayer and silence for people now deprived of the food and medicine once provided by USAID.
Bridget Moix
“Perhaps in this silent time together we can hold those people all around the world who are impacted by these actions — these cruel and reckless actions of our government — in the light,” said Bridget Moix, general secretary of the Friends Committee on National Legislation. “We can hold the aid workers and those who have been laid off in the light. And we can hold Congress in the light, calling for a call to conscience and moral courage at this time.”
Christina Tobias-Nahi, director of public affairs, research and advocacy at Islamic Relief USA, said her participation in the vigil was a prelude to a day on Capitol Hill urging members of Congress to restore international aid and oppose tax cuts for the rich.
“They are going to advantage the most wealthy here in America at the expense of the poorest and most vulnerable.”
“They are going to advantage the most wealthy here in America at the expense of the poorest and most vulnerable,” she said. “So, I think it was important that we also raise our voice today on these issues, especially because it’s the month of Ramadan.”
Ramadan is Islam’s month of prayer, fasting and Scripture reading in which all food and drink, including water, are avoided from sunup to sundown.
Christina Tobias-Nahi
“There are a good number of us doing these Hill visits and walking between the buildings today not eating, not drinking, but in reflection and in prayer because the people that we serve across the globe, many of them are also celebrating Ramadan,” she said.
Muslims hosted an interfaith breaking of the fast the night before, which was a reminder of those less fortunate, Tobias-Nahi added. “They do not have the food to break the fast, so please keep them in your prayers all across the globe as these cuts are taking place.”
Eugene Cho
Pressing Congress to intervene remains a relevant act because it’s not too late to reverse the USAID shutdown and the need is great, said Bread for the World President Eugene Cho.
“Right now, more than 45 million children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition, the most dangerous form of malnutrition around the world. Right now, we are seeing the worst hunger crisis of the last 50 years.”
And no one is arguing there weren’t inefficiencies in disturbing international aid, Cho added.
“None of the leaders here are saying USAID or foreign aid is absolutely perfect. In fact, I am not even suggesting there is no waste at all. As a fiscal conservative, I am very supportive of reform and more efficiency and transparency. Who isn’t? But these broad, untargeted cuts are devastating to our vulnerable neighbors.”
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