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The Trump administration announced Monday it intends to significantly shrink USAID and fold it into the state department, citing “ridiculous and malicious” projects within the humanitarian aid agency, according to an administration press release. 

USAID has been around since the 1960s and has provided assistance to more than 100 countries.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday he is now the acting administrator of the program and blamed the agency’s issues on insubordination from agency employees. Democrats say that the move threatens humanitarian aid worldwide and could have deadly consequences. 

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar has criticized the significant changes being made to the agency and has argued President Trump does not have the authority to shut down USAID. Omar, who said she benefitted from the agency’s services as a child in a Kenyan refugee camp, joined Minnesota Now to talk about her concerns. 

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The Trump administration announced Monday it intends to significantly shrink USAID and fold it into the state department. U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar and other Congressional Democrats argue President Trump does not have the authority to shut it down.

Live, down to earth, unscripted interviews that aim to connect, inform and entertain. Real people share real stories with Nina Moini. It’s journalism that doesn’t take itself too seriously and puts people first.

U.S. Rep Ilhan Omar: Shutting down USAID is a constitutional crisis

woman speaks into mics with others around

U.S. Rep Ilhan Omar: Shutting down USAID is a constitutional crisis

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