How do you feel about the Trump administration’s recent moves to overhaul USAID?

👍 Support (42%) – "I've often questioned the why and how we, as a country, can justify sending money to other countries when we have our own needs not being addressed and a growing national debt."

• "All of these things need to be reviewed. Do I agree with some of the things that this nation is supporting? No. Would I pay for it if I had to budget for it from my household account? No. And if I wouldn’t pay for it myself then why should the government tell me that I have to pay for it? We have enough at home that needs to be fixed. Some foreign aid should happen. But it needs to be addressed. Cut the crap. Act like you are spending your own money. And like you have to work to earn every penny."

"As a business owner, I understand the importance of checks and balances in everything we do. It’s essential to put Americans first, especially since our tax dollars are funding foreign aid. That said, I do believe in helping other countries, but that support should be carefully managed—going directly to those in need rather than to governments."

• "We are sending money to foreign countries with little oversight on how it is truly being spend, in some case it is funding illegal activities hidden as governance and management fees. I think we should continue to help vaccine and AIDS medication in 3rd world country, but cut the other BS."

"I am not an expert on international matters. However, I live in this country. We could take that aid and provide humanitarian assistance to a good many people in this country who do not have a home, do not have access to nutritious food or clean water, no access to medical care or birth control, a lack of transportation to their doctor, hospitals, and even grocery stores. We could use that money to get our own children into clean, safe, and well staffed schools where they might feel like learning something if they aren't worried about their next meal or a classmate shooting or stabbing them. We could provide appropriate mental health care for those who need it - not just here take this pill and shut up. We could tear down derelict buildings and put up decent affordable housing. In short - we could provide that humanitarian aid to our own citizens. And yes, our corrupt government will steal as much of that money as they can - but maybe a little bit will trickle down and accidentally reach the workers."

👎 Oppose (46%) – "I agree likely all agencies (and companies) have likely some money that is being wasted and be cleaned up but I do not think that means we need to completly overhaul in this manner. An overhaul may be needed but completely stopping all aid will ruin our relationships across the world with other people and countries. It leaves a hole for possible bad actors to step in and try to take over and will lose allies around the world if we ever need help as a country in the future."

• "The way in which USAID is being dismantled by Elon Musk circumnavigates the checks and balances we have in place and is not constitutional. If Trump wants to adopt isolationist policies that is his prerogative as President, but it has to be done the right way."

"A thoughtful and considerate review of current projects is probably long overdue. A complete halt in funding and firing of employees with no notice, no alternative resources offered, and no long-term plan is irresponsible and dangerous. In some places, it could conceivably lead to death for people who depend on foreign aid."

• "It is our duty as a leader of the world to provide aid to those in distress outside the US. The purpose is not to give US taxpayers a benefit which is one reason it was cited as a target. I am all for efficiently and cost cutting where it is needed, but a blanket overhaul such as this is immoral and puts lives at risk. It is a slap on the face to the US workers who moved their families and took risks in less developed areas to help. It is dishonorable and makes the US look like we care nothing about people in need nor the people we employ trying to help them. This is not the way to go about it - it's all for smoke and news. The organization is a teeny part of the expenses we have as a county and doing so like this is like taking a teaspoon of water from the ocean."

"Trump has got to stop or slow down. He's coming in and making all these extreme changes in the way our government works/functions without much regard for the work the organizations do or the people working in them. You want to look at each organization and see if it can be handled differently/ streamlined/whatever he's saying, fine. But lets make cuts with a scalpel, not just hack away at the US government with a machete."

🤷 Unsure/other (12%) – "I really don't know if there's a single area in our federal government that wouldn't benefit from an intelligent, comprehensive overhaul. So really, I'm happy it's being examined at a close level. Whether or not Trump's administration will actually do a good job at it is a whole different matter. And it would be completely accurate to say that even while I'm excited to see the changes Trump is making he still makes me nervous. I'm also not super familiar with these issues. I think we will have to wait and see."