Former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush delivered rare public rebukes of the Trump administration during an emotional video farewell to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), according to the Associated Press.
Obama called the agency’s dismantling a “colossal mistake,” while Bush defended its HIV/AIDS work, saying it had saved millions of lives.
Bono, a surprise guest, recited a poem honoring USAID’s legacy, calling its staff “the best of us.”
The agency, founded by President John F. Kennedy to promote peace and prosperity, was dissolved Monday after six decades.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered its functions absorbed into the State Department, which will launch a new initiative called “America First,” claiming it will ensure more efficient use of foreign aid dollars.
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