In a passionate speech on Monday outside the USAID offices in Washington, D.C., Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) condemned President Donald Trump’s decision to cut funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), labeling it a troubling step toward authoritarianism. She argued that these budget reductions, part of Trump’s broader efforts to limit government spending and foreign aid, threaten critical humanitarian programs that support millions globally and harm the U.S.’s reputation as a leader in humanitarian efforts.

Omar emphasized that cutting foreign aid not only risks lives but also consolidates power in the hands of the president, undermining democratic institutions. While Trump defended the cuts as necessary for reducing the federal deficit and prioritizing domestic issues, Omar and other critics warn that such actions could embolden authoritarian regimes and create global instability. As the debate continues, Omar’s remarks highlight the deep ideological divide in American politics, raising concerns about the implications for both domestic and international stability.