Secretary of State Rubio Defends Trump Foreign Aid Cuts at Senate Hearing

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has faced significant scrutiny and criticism during his Senate testimony regarding substantial cuts to the foreign affairs budget and the restructuring of U.S. foreign aid programs under the Trump administration. Rubio defends the reduced $28.5 billion budget, asserting it aligns with the 'America First' agenda by eliminating wasteful programs and introducing a new America First Opportunity Fund aimed at crisis response and global engagement. Critics, including some Democrats who previously supported his confirmation, express regret and concern that these cuts and the dismantling of USAID undermine U.S. global influence, particularly in competition with China, which is increasing its diplomatic spending and presence. Rubio, once an advocate for robust foreign aid, now supports significant downsizing of the State Department and possible closure of some embassies, drawing bipartisan concern over the shift from traditional U.S. internationalist policies. Despite interruptions by protesters and tough questioning, Rubio insists the U.S. remains committed to its foreign policy and humanitarian efforts, though many lawmakers warn that the budget cuts risk ceding ground to China and weakening longstanding diplomatic efforts. The debate highlights tensions between reform advocates seeking efficiency and critics worried about diminished American global leadership and humanitarian commitments.