In an interview in February, Ms Power highlighted the role of USAid in projecting US soft power. “The best testament to USAid’s contribution is the surge in PRC-backed and Russian-backed propaganda maligning USAid and our work around the world,” she said, using the initials of China’s official name, the People’s Republic of China.

Elon Musk called USAID a criminal organization that should “die.” Proponents say it’s a key arm of U.S. influence that, if destroyed, “cannot be easily rebuilt.”