The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is on the verge of collapse. In an unprecedented move, the administration of Donald Trump announced the dismissal of around 1,600 employees in the United States, while the remaining staff worldwide will be placed on mandatory leave - with few exceptions. It is another radical step in Trump’s relentless dismantling of the state apparatus. Trump wants to drain the deep state, restructure its agencies, and destroy every institution that he and his advisors consider superfluous or - in their words - “dangerously left-wing.” Especially in his crosshairs: USAID. Influential multibillionaire Elon Musk, now one of Trump’s closest confidants, openly refers to it as a “nest of radically leftist Marxists.” Trump himself called USAID a “bunch of radical lunatics” - language that sets the tone. On January 20, Trump ordered an immediate halt to all foreign aid for 90 days. The consequences: Development projects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America are on the brink of collapse. Humanitarian aid programs for war zones like Ukraine, Palestine, or Afghanistan are frozen. Tens of thousands of jobs in NGOs and aid initiatives are hanging in the balance. But it’s not just the international community that is in shock - tensions are also rising within the United States.
Massive protests, but the judiciary gives Trump the green light. Trump’s assault on federal agencies has triggered a wave of lawsuits. Twenty-two states, including California, New York, and Illinois, have united against the president. Labor unions and NGOs are also going to court to try to stop the wave of dismissals. A glimmer of hope? Yes - briefly. In early February, a U.S. federal judge halted the mass layoffs. But on February 23, the ruling was overturned - Trump’s plans may proceed for now. USAID is thus practically finished. And this is only the beginning. Trump and Musk have already announced that other agencies are in their sights: the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) - “regulatory madness” must be stopped. The FBI and the Department of Justice - “infiltrated by deep-state agents.” The Department of Education - “redundant bureaucracy.”
For now, it is lawsuits, protests, and outrage in the media. But how long will the population tolerate it? The United States is heading toward an unprecedented showdown between the government and society. While Trump systematically dismantles state structures, the socio-economic pressure on millions of Americans continues to rise: Inflation and unemployment are increasing - especially as thousands of civil servants and employees lose their jobs. Social programs are being slashed, while tax cuts for the wealthy are being planned. Protests are escalating: In several major cities, there have already been clashes between demonstrators and police. The question is no longer whether the U.S. is heading toward a historic conflict - but when. Is America on the brink of a political explosion? Trump’s scorched-earth policy does not only target left-liberal structures - it strikes at the very substance of the nation. Institutions that for decades were considered pillars of American influence are being destroyed from within. The decisive question remains: When will the rage of the people reach its breaking point? When will the people explode? One thing is certain: The pressure is rising - and one spark may be enough to ignite a wildfire.
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