Rubio’s remarks were made amid speculation about the agency’s future.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday confirmed he’s now the acting head of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) amid public comments about the future of the foreign aid organization.
While speaking to reporters in El Salvador, Rubio confirmed he would be in charge of the agency, saying at one point that “I am the acting director” of USAID.
“I have delegated that authority to someone … I stay in touch with him,” he added. Rubio did not name the delegated person. The Epoch Times contacted the State Department for comment Monday.
“USAID is not functioning. It has to be aligned with US policy. It needs to be aligned with the national interest of the U.S.,” Rubio said. “They’re not a global charity—these are taxpayer dollars. People are asking simple questions. What are they doing with the money? We are spending taxpayers money. We owe the taxpayers assurances that it furthers our national interest.”
Rubio also told reporters that he’s been frustrated with USAID for years, dating back to his time in Congress, and suggested the agency wasn’t cooperative with the State Department’s directive. He also disputed claims that