Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) sharply criticized President Trump’s
decision to cut funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), calling it a dangerous move toward authoritarianism.
Speaking outside the USAID offices in Washington, she warned that these cuts could harm global humanitarian efforts and undermine U.S. foreign policy.
Omar argued that reducing foreign aid would disproportionately affect countries in crisis, weaken democratic institutions, and endanger lives worldwide.
She framed the decision as part of a broader attempt to centralize power, claiming it reflected a disturbing trend threatening American democracy.
While Trump defended the cuts as necessary for reducing the deficit, Omar and critics see them as undermining U.S. global leadership and empowering authoritarian regimes
Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s recent decision to slash funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), calling it a dangerous move that could undermine global humanitarian efforts and embolden authoritarian regimes.
Speaking outside the USAID offices in Washington, Omar expressed her concern that cutting foreign aid would harm critical assistance to countries in crisis, weakening democratic institutions and endangering lives worldwide.
She argued that the move reflects a broader strategy by the Trump administration to centralize power and erode democratic values both domestically and internationally.
“By cutting the budget for USAID, President Trump is sending a dangerous signal — that the U.S. is retreating from its role as a global leader in promoting peace, democracy, and human rights,” Omar said. “This isn’t just about fiscal policy; it’s about a troubling shift toward authoritarianism that threatens the future of American democracy and global stability.”
The Minnesota Democrat emphasized the disproportionate impact these cuts would have on countries already facing humanitarian crises, pointing to regions affected by war, famine, and political instability. She warned that the reduction in foreign aid could exacerbate suffering and jeopardize U.S. influence in international diplomacy.
While President Trump has defended the cuts, describing them as a necessary step toward reducing the federal deficit, critics — including Omar — contend that the decision could embolden authoritarian regimes and hinder U.S. efforts to maintain global leadership. They argue that the reductions reflect an increasingly isolationist and inward-looking policy stance that disregards the long-term benefits of U.S. foreign aid.
Omar concluded her remarks by reaffirming her commitment to fighting for policies that prioritize human rights and international cooperation, urging Congress to reject these cuts and ensure that the U.S. continues to be a force for good in the world.
“The world is watching,” she said. “The choices we make now will determine whether we stand as champions of democracy or retreat into a dangerous, self-centered isolation.”