Bush, Obama, Bono bid farewell to USAID: 'Colossal mistake'
Share and Follow


Former Presidents Obama and George W. Bush, along with U2’s Bono, are reportedly sending off U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) staffers with a poignant video tribute.

The ex-commanders in chief and the “With or Without You” singer appeared via teleconference on Monday to speak with employees on USAID’s final day as an independent agency, The Associated Press reported.

In March, the Trump administration moved to formally end USAID, terminating employees and merging all remaining functions into the State Department beginning on Tuesday. President Trump has accused USAID which was created in 1961 by former President John F. Kennedy and codified by Congress in 1998 of being “incompetent” and “really corrupt.”

Referring to the evisceration of the international agency by the Trump administration as a “colossal mistake,” Obama told staffers in a recorded statement, “Your work has mattered and will matter for generations to come.”

“Gutting USAID is a travesty, and it’s a tragedy,” Obama said, according to the AP.

“Because it’s some of the most important work happening anywhere in the world,” the 44th president said.

“Sooner or later,” Obama said, “leaders on both sides of the aisle will realize how much you are needed.”

In his recorded remarks, Bush credited USAID’s staff with showing “the great strength of America” through their work.

“Is it in our national interests that 25 million people who would have died now live?” Bush asked. “I think it is, and so do you,” he said.

Bono, an international and humanitarian aid advocate who’s been a frequent presence on Capitol Hill over the years, reportedly read a poem he had penned about the moves to dismantle USAID. 

“They called you crooks. When you were the best of us,” the rocker said.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Florida cooperation with immigration enforcement sparks fears people will disappear into jails

Concerns rise over Florida’s collaboration with immigration authorities leading to individuals being detained indefinitely.

MIAMI (AP) — As Florida law enforcement agencies work with federal immigration…
Senate megabill marks biggest Medicaid cuts in history 

Senate megabill makes record-breaking reductions to Medicaid

Senate Republicans on Tuesday passed the largest cuts to Medicaid since the…
Alabama violated constitutional rights of man sentenced to death, court rules

Alabama violated constitutional rights of man sentenced to death, court rules

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A federal appeals court…
Woman’s money relationship opinion divides: ‘Because you’re a man’

Opinions on women’s approach to money differ based on gender preconceptions.

A woman has sparked a fiery and debate by revealing what she…
Duval parents rally against DEI policy changes

Parents in Duval County come together to protest changes to DEI policies

Parents and students rallied against changes to DEI policies and book bans…
Trump administration sues Los Angeles over 'sanctuary city' laws

Trump administration files lawsuit against Los Angeles for ‘sanctuary city’ policies

() The Justice Department has sued the city of Los Angeles, Mayor…
States sue Trump admin. over school mental health funding cuts

Lawsuits filed by states against the Trump administration regarding reductions in funding for mental health services in schools

Sixteen Democratic-led states filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Monday…
Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, whose multimillion-dollar ministry was toppled by prostitution scandals, has died at 90

Famous preacher Jimmy Swaggart, known for scandals, passes away at the age of 90

BATON ROUGE, La. — Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, whose multimillion-dollar ministry and huge…